A relationship is a mutually satisfying association with someone that involves trust, intimacy, care and affection. In a healthy relationship, both partners should support and help each other and be willing to work through difficulties. A person in a good relationship feels loved and secure and can share their hopes and dreams for the future.

Relationships can be with family members, friends, coworkers and even acquaintances. They can be casual, formal or committed. The word relationship is also used to describe dealings between different groups of people, as in “The economy and the environment have a close relationship.”

Many people believe that healthy relationships require hard work, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it has to be difficult or exhausting. Think of a hobby that you really enjoy or a school project that you got excited about – those are the kinds of things that often take a lot of time, but they can be fun and exciting too.

When you’re in the right relationship, it can give you a lot of energy and motivation to try new things because you know that you have an incredible safety net beneath you, and your partner will be there for you to catch you when you fall. But it’s important to remember that a relationship can be bad for your health too if it’s toxic, so it’s critical to recognize the warning signs of an unhealthy relationship. These can include controlling behaviors, such as isolation or limiting social interaction.