The word relationship implies a common bonding by which two individuals come together. An intimate relationship is basically an interpersonal relationship that entails emotional or physical intimacy. However, an intimate relationship could also be a nonsexual relationship between friends, family, or closest acquaintances.
The bond may be as close as a brother and sister or as distant as two complete strangers;
- A relationship may be categorized as intimate or non-intimate based on the degree of closeness. For instance, there might be a brother and a sister but if they do not share any deep emotional relationship, then the relationship would be categorized as platonic.
- On the other hand, a romantic relationship encompasses emotional bonding involving a romantic couple like a married couple, a boyfriend and a girlfriend or a step-parent and a childless couple.
- The term extramarital comes in the definition of an affair between a husband and a wife. This type of relationship does not require an emotional connection as such, however, the cheating spouse becomes what is known as an extramarital partner and is subject to the divorce laws.
People seek love and companionship in many forms; Whether it be platonic or romantic, every relationship needs two ingredients: friendship and love. Most people feel loved when they have been shown respect, compassion, attention, and friendship. The emotional connection that develops between a friend and a partner enhances the individual’s sense of trust and security. When a person feels loved, they tend to want to return the favor when they give or receive affection.
Romantic relationships seek to resolve conflict in a satisfactory manner. As such, both partners must strive to communicate their needs to one another and find a way to resolve conflicts in a mature and respectful manner. When this happens, a relationship grows into a meaningful commitment between two people who are dedicated to working together towards a common goal. However, romantic relationships are not without their problems. The key to developing a healthy relationship is learning how to best express ones’ feelings and developing effective ways to resolve conflicts in a relationship.
While the physical intimacy romantic partner; share with their partner is one of the most important aspects of the relationship, that intimacy is not the only ingredient a good relationship needs. A healthy relationship also includes the ability to trust, respect, and have compassion for one’s partner. The ability to rely on your partner in difficult times is paramount to having a successful long-term relationship. When you depend on someone to help you get through the bad days, this is a strong form of trust. When you share your deepest thoughts and your deepest dreams with someone, this builds a strong relationship because you can count on that person to guide you in your own self-discovery.
A good relationship relies; on the consistent maintenance of positive nonverbal cues. Your partner should be able to feel your emotions and receive them easily. In order for this to happen, one person in the relationship must be displaying strong nonverbal cues of happiness, love, or confidence. If your partner is consistently demonstrating these types of signs, then your relationship has a lot of potential to grow. However, in order for this to be achieved, one person in the relationship must be displaying strong emotional cues such as being happy, loving, and confident in their relationship.