Relationships

Intimacy is an important part of any relationship: it plays a role in your romantic relationships as well as those with dear friends and family members. That said, welcoming intimacy and opening yourself to it isn’t always easy; in fact, it can be pretty difficult, especially when past experiences have…

If your loved one is engaging in troublesome behavior—perhaps they’re drinking a lot or turning into a workaholic—it’s normal to be wholly concerned. And while you might not be able to force them to make a change, you don’t have to sit idly by either; you can take a few…

By this point, Morgan’s used to being pushed around—literally and figuratively. Her boyfriend, Jon, who used to treat her with the utmost love and respect, became abusive about 2 years into their relationship. It started with words: demeaning, condescending, cruel words. Then it turned into a little nudge here and…

Statistics show that people who have been abused in the past are more likely to be abused in the future. This begs an important question: Do certain people attract abusers or abusive relationships? It’s important to note that abuse is never the victim’s fault. In fact, more often than not,…

When I think about violence, I shudder. Whether it’s two MMA fighters battling it out on TV, a kid lashing out at his mother, or an argument that has escalated into a physical altercation between partners. I find the latter case particularly disturbing. The first example is obviously an organized…

They say that friends are the family you choose. You don’t have to spend any ounce of your time with them, but you want to: You enjoy each other’s company; you support each other through the triumphs and the losses; you really get each other. Or at least that’s what…

Gaslighting is a form of manipulation and emotional abuse whereby the perpetrator leads one to question their reality, their logic, their intuition—everything they know to be true. This manipulative behavior is observed among friends, family, colleagues… and, of course, romantic couples. So, what does gaslighting look like in a relationship?…

Dogs are scientifically-proven to benefit us in a number of ways and improve our overall health (both physical and mental). For one, pet owners tend to have lower cholesterol and blood pressure because they’re more inclined to get out of the house and stay active. Owning a pet can also…

While it’s normal to feel jealous, it can become unhealthy and wreak havoc on a relationship if not managed effectively. Fortunately, any couple can learn to address and work through jealousy issues and, in turn, cultivate a happy, healthy relationship. First, two partners should communicate their standards and expectations when…

It’s time to accept that effective communication is vital to our relationships and to take significant steps toward opening up. To start breaking down those walls, decide to approach the conversation with positive vibes, as positivity encourages comfortable communication, which then increases trust. Another valuable strategy is to choose an…

Perfect relationships don’t exist; problems do and will arise, but the good news is that couples can effectively resolve many common relationship issues. First and foremost, couples need to maintain a healthy level of trust and respect, as these two elements can make or break a relationship. Another vital key…

Posttraumatic stress disorder is a crippling disease that can have negative effects on one’s relationships. Triggers may cause the affected individual to lash out at loved ones. Avoidance symptoms may cause one to dissociate and neglect relationships. Hypervigilance can lead to sleep and concentration problems, which then can negatively affect…