Relationships are connections that exist between two or more people. These can be romantic, platonic, familial or professional. People often find that their relationships help them feel more connected and valued as individuals. They can also provide emotional support during difficult times and offer companionship to combat feelings of loneliness. They can even have physical health benefits, like lowering blood pressure and heart rate.

In a healthy relationship, both partners are respectful of one another. This is usually exhibited through listening to each other, speaking openly, and respecting the differences between each other. Respect is also shown through the ability to understand non-verbal cues, such as body language. In addition, a healthy relationship requires each partner to make time for the other on a consistent basis and remember details about their significant other’s life. Lastly, healthy partners don’t become jealous when the other person talks to other friends or spends time with family.

The most common types of relationships are the dyad and the triad. A dyad is a couple or other pair of people that live together, often as husband and wife. A triad is a group of three people that live together. Generally, a dyad is less stable than a triad as it requires more intense interaction. In addition, a dyad can become toxic if it isn’t mutually respectful.