Components of a Healthy Relationship
a) Intimacy is the capacity to be emotionally close while also maintaining individual identities. Too often, people confuse sex with intimacy. Emotional intimacy is an infinitely more significant element of a healthy relationship.
b) Respect involves the ability to recognize and respond fairly to each other’s feelings and needs
c) Adaptability and flexibility refer to the ability to weather changes and roll with the punches in a relationship.
d) Communication is defined as the art and technique of effectively imparting one’s ideas. Communication is an essential component of a healthy relationship, yet we don’t always say what we really mean to our partner. Why not?
e) Before you can feel good in a relationship, you must feel good about yourself. Accept yourself as you are, have a positive attitude, feel good about the decisions you make, and don’t try to change yourself for someone else.
f) Being candid about thoughts, feelings, and the desired direction of the relationship will allow both you and your partner the opportunity to simultaneously explore yourselves and the relationship.
g) Over time, trusting your partner will be necessary for a healthy relationship, but in the beginning trust is not automatic–it has to be earned. Always trust yourself to be who you are and to look out for your well-being. It is important to remember that trust is hard to earn but easy to destroy.
h) Don’t forget about yourself and your needs in the process of becoming involved in a relationship. A relationship should enhance who you already are, not replace it. Ask yourself the following questions: What type of relationship am I looking for? (friendship, long term relationship, love, casual relationship) How do my personal beliefs relate to what I desire in a relationship? What activities am I now involved in that I might want to continue doing alone?
Secrets to a Healthy Sex Life:-
• Consider your personal beliefs about sexual relationships before becoming involved in one. Be sure that the choices you make are the right ones for you.
• You can have a romantic relationship without having sexual intercourse; don’t force it if you or your partner isn’t ready.
• Sex should be something that you can discuss. It is best to communicate to your partner clearly and directly about sex.
• If you choose to be sexually active, be sure to protect yourself from contracting STDs.
• Understand consent. Consent must be verbal even in the context of a relationship. Consent cannot be given while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases:-
Bacterial
Syphilis
Gonorrhea
Chlamydia
Bacterial STDs can cause unpleasant symptoms and may be life-threatening if they go untreated but can be treated and cured with antibiotics if detected early.
– Viral
– Herpes
– Genital
– Warts
– HIV
– Hepatitis
There is no cure for viral STDs and these STDs may be transmitted even when individuals are asymptomatic. Nevertheless anti-viral medications may help alleviate symptoms.
– Parasitic
– Crabs
– Scabies
– Trichomoniasis
Parasitic STDs can cause unpleasant symptoms and may reoccur after treatment if all clothing, bedding and towels aren’t thoroughly washed but can be treated and cured with topical creams and lotions.
STDs
Having a sexually transmitted infection increases your risk for HIV infection. Sexually transmitted infections that cause breaks in the skin (such as Herpes or Syphilis) make it easier for HIV to enter the body. Even diseases such as Gonorrhea or Chlamydia that do not cause breaks in the skin can cause an immune response that makes the body more vulnerable to contracting HIV.
Signs & Symptoms
One of the most common symptoms of an STDs is no symptom at all!
Though many people who are infected with STDs show no obvious signs, there are some general symptoms that should raise your suspicions like genital sores, itching, pain, unusual discharge, pain or burning during urination, unusual bleeding and painful sexual intercourse should be investigated as soon as they are noticed. It is important to remember that regardless of whether you have symptoms, if you are infected with a STD, you can infect your partner through sexual contact.
And finally Know Yourself and Know Your Limits and Make Sure That Your Relationship Is Good For YOU!