Relationships — whether romantic, platonic or family — are vital to our emotional and physical well-being. But sustaining a healthy relationship requires work, especially when conflict arises. This article offers tips to help you stay connected with your partner and ensure that your relationship is headed in the right direction.

It is not uncommon for the visceral connection that was there at the beginning of a relationship to fade as time goes by, despite the love and commitment that may still be present. The hours of making love, sharing kisses and gifts, and the days spent talking can be swamped by day-to-day routine and the sense that ‘is this all there is?’

While this is a normal part of the evolution of any relationship, it can lead to many negative outcomes including lack of trust, infidelity or financial issues. Having an honest conversation about these things early on can prevent these issues from getting out of hand and can also help you build your communication skills and set realistic expectations for the future of your relationship.

While the word’relationship’ encompasses a vast number of different kinds of human connections, a good way to think about it is as an interaction between people who care about and invest in each other. This is a key factor in what researchers call the social support network, which is critical to your health and well-being. When these relationships are damaged, it can have a negative impact on your mental health and even affect other relationships with friends and family.