Relationships can be an important source of happiness and fulfillment. They can also be a source of stress and discomfort, depending on the quality. Whether you are in a romantic relationship or simply an intimate friendship, there are benefits of being in a healthy and supportive relationship that can improve your life overall.
In relationships, you learn how to communicate with your partner and find ways to resolve conflict. The more you practice these skills, the better you become at them. This is especially true for the skills of listening and talking honestly with each other. Practicing these skills can also help you build trust in your relationship and make it stronger.
One of the most important aspects of a healthy relationship is loyalty. Loyalty is demonstrated by always being there for your partner and putting their needs ahead of your own. Loyalty is not afraid of (respectful) disagreement, and it does not take things personally or expect to win every argument.
In addition, a healthy relationship encourages the parts of you that may be hiding in the background to come out more often. For example, if you are more of a talker than a listener, your partner can help you to be less self-conscious about talking and can remind you that they appreciate your strengths. Similarly, if you tend to be more quiet and introverted than outgoing, your partner can help you to be more adventurous and social.