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Most people desire to have a healthy partnership with a spouse or significant other, but interpersonal relationships, in general, are also important.<\/span><\/p>\n Learning interpersonal relationship development skills can help you to communicate with and get along better with those in your life, so you can enjoy more satisfying relationships with the people around you.<\/span><\/p>\n Tips for how to maintain interpersonal relationships are helpful to keep in mind.<\/span><\/p>\n Interpersonal relationships can be described as the connections you have with the people closest to you. This includes your romantic partner or significant other, as well as family members and close friends.<\/span><\/p>\n You also have interpersonal relationships with neighbors and people you regularly interact with, such as coworkers.<\/span><\/p>\n Relationships fulfill a variety of needs in our lives, and they contribute to physical and emotional wellbeing.<\/span><\/p>\n This is why it’s so important to know how to maintain interpersonal relationships.<\/span><\/p>\n We all have various relationships with different types of people throughout our lives, and while some relationships may not be lifelong, the skills required for healthy interpersonal relationships are useful for just about any relationship.<\/span><\/p>\n One of the characteristics of such relationships is the fact that they develop in stages.<\/span><\/p>\n In a <\/span>study<\/span><\/a> conducted by George Levinger, he identified five stages of interpersonal relationships and called this stage theory, which includes:<\/span><\/p>\n In the beginning, a person with whom we have an interpersonal relationship is merely an acquaintance. To begin a relationship people need to know each other well.<\/span><\/p>\n Two people may meet at some spot and in a split second hit it off. Individuals feel pulled in to one another and choose to go into a relationship.<\/span><\/p>\n Getting acquainted helps us to get to know one another and start a relationship.<\/span><\/p>\n After the first stage the relationship moves to the buildup stage and then the continuation stage.<\/span><\/p>\n This is the stage when the relationship really develops. People are no longer outsiders and begin confiding in one another.<\/span><\/p>\n Compatibility is essential for the relationship to proceed for a more extended timeframe.<\/span><\/p>\n People with comparative interests and foundations will in general gel with one another more when contrasted with people from assorted foundations and various goals.<\/span><\/p>\n This stage in a relationship is regularly described by two people approaching, being enthusiastic and feeling for one another.<\/span><\/p>\n This is the stage when a relationship blooms. It is when individuals in the wake of realizing each other well, choose to be together.<\/span><\/p>\n Trust and straightforwardness is fundamental for the appeal to remain in any committed relationship.<\/span><\/p>\n The fourth stage is the deterioration stage, when the relationship begins to unravel.<\/span><\/p>\n Absence of similarity, trust, love and care regularly lead to false impressions and issues in relationship.<\/span><\/p>\n People once in a while discover it very hard to change with one another and in the end choose to end their relationship.<\/span><\/p>\n Bargain is a vital piece of each relationship.Individuals neglecting to bargain with one another think that it’s hard to take the relationship forward.<\/span><\/p>\n Deterioration is followed by termination when a relationship results in a breakup and ceases to exist.<\/span><\/p>\n The final two stages are the reason that it is important to learn how to have positive interpersonal relationships because these stages occur when the relationship is not maintained.<\/span><\/p>\n It is also important to understand that some relationships never make it past the acquaintance stage.<\/span><\/p>\n If you want deeper relationships that provide emotional and social support, you will need to develop strong interpersonal skills so that you can have more meaningful connections with those in your life.<\/span><\/p>\n While interpersonal relationships do <\/span>require effort<\/span><\/a> to maintain, it is also helpful to keep in mind that not all relationships are meant to last forever.<\/span><\/p>\n You may change jobs or move to a new town, and it may not be feasible to maintain close relationships with former coworkers or with friends who live across the country.<\/span><\/p>\n It is still important to cultivate the relationships that are most important to you so that these relationships do not deteriorate beyond repair.<\/span><\/p>\n Building relationships and maintaining them is so important because these relationships improve our lives. Quite simply, healthy, close relationships with others make us happy. They also <\/span>fight off loneliness<\/span><\/a> and make us feel as if we belong.<\/span><\/p>\n Relationships with family members, friends, and romantic partners also provide us with social support. These relationships offer emotional support when we are struggling, and they give us someone to turn to when we need advice or a <\/span>listening ear<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n Close relationships also give meaning to our lives. For instance, through caring for loved ones and being available to them, we create a purpose for ourselves.<\/span><\/p>\n Even casual friendships and acquaintance relationships provide our lives with meaning. We may meet with friends or acquaintances to engage in shared hobbies, such as exercising, playing sports, or crafting.<\/span><\/p>\n The importance of interpersonal relationships also applies in the workplace. In fact, a 2018 <\/span>study<\/span><\/a> found that highly stressed doctors experienced reduced stress levels and improved sleep quality when they had support from colleagues.<\/span><\/p>\n Another <\/span>research<\/span><\/a> found that the quality of interpersonal relationships at work affects an employees’ propensity to engage in counterproductive work behaviors.<\/span><\/p>\n What this means is that healthy interpersonal relationships are beneficial in the workplace, as well as in your private life.<\/span><\/p>\n Cultivating these relationships not only provides you with people to share the joys of life with but also gives you support for getting through life’s challenges.<\/span><\/p>\n Once you understand the importance of interpersonal relationships, it is also helpful to know how to maintain interpersonal connections so you can reap the benefits of strong interpersonal skills. Here are ten useful strategies:<\/span><\/p>\n All relationships involve conflict from time-to-time. Managing relationships requires <\/span>addressing conflict<\/span><\/a> when it arises.<\/span><\/p>\n You may be tempted to hold in your feelings to keep the peace, but if you experience a disagreement or something is bothering you, it is important to communicate this, whether it is with a relative, a close friend, a coworker, or your significant other.<\/span><\/p>\n Be honest about your needs, but also willing to listen to the other person’s side of the story.<\/span><\/p>\n Sometimes, people we are close to may have to provide us with constructive criticism or feedback. For example, in the workplace, this may involve a colleague offering advice on how we can improve our performance.<\/span><\/p>\n In friendships, we may receive feedback or advice about certain life decisions. If you want to maintain healthy interpersonal relationships, you must be open to feedback instead of becoming defensive.<\/span><\/p>\n Oftentimes, when people who are close to us offer constructive criticism, they are looking out for our best interests because they care about us.<\/span><\/p>\n If you are guarded with your thoughts and emotions, building interpersonal relationships will be difficult.<\/span><\/p>\n If you want to develop connections with people and grow closer to them, <\/span>you have to share parts<\/span><\/a> of yourself with them and allow them to share parts of themselves with you in turn.<\/span><\/p>\n Empathy<\/span><\/a> is an essential component of social interactions.<\/span><\/p>\n The ability to be empathetic, or put yourself in someone else’s shoes, is critical for improving interpersonal relationship dynamics. When you are empathetic, people will feel heard and understood.<\/span><\/p>\n The next time a friend or loved one <\/span>expresses their feelings<\/span><\/a>, try to imagine yourself in their situation so you are able to be more empathetic.<\/span><\/p>\n One of the greatest gifts we can give to the people we care about is time. Sometimes, life gets busy, and it is difficult to catch up with friends.<\/span><\/p>\n Everyone understands this, but if you can make time for a phone call or quick check-in, even when life gets busy, this shows the people you are closest to that you care about the relationship and want to maintain it.<\/span><\/p>\n With close friends, you may have to make an effort to get together for coffee or catch up with a phone call, but the effort is worth it if you want strong relationships.<\/span><\/p>\n All successful relationships <\/span>require boundaries<\/span><\/a>. For example, if being involved in your children’s activities is important to you, you may have to communicate to people at work that you cannot stay late on days that your children have games.<\/span><\/p>\n In addition, you may value your three weekly sessions at the gym and ask your partner to tend to the children for an hour so you can make these sessions a priority.<\/span><\/p>\n Setting boundaries in this way allows you to take care of your own needs and builds <\/span>respect within the relationship<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n Be sure also to respect the boundaries of other people in your life. You will be less likely to resent people in your life if you set boundaries, and they will build respect for you when you honor their boundaries as well.<\/span><\/p>\n Also watch: How to set boundaries in your relationship<\/b><\/span>What are interpersonal relationships?<\/span><\/h2>\n
Related Reading: <\/i><\/b>Types of Interpersonal Relationships<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/pre>\n
<\/span>Stages of interpersonal relationships<\/span><\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\n1. First stage – Acquaintance<\/b><\/h3>\n
2. Second stage – Build up<\/b><\/h3>\n
3. Third stage – Continuation<\/b><\/h3>\n
4. Fourth stage – Deterioration<\/b><\/h3>\n
5. Fifth stage – Termination<\/b><\/h3>\n
Related Reading:<\/i><\/b> Steps to Repair Your Relationship<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/pre>\n
<\/span>Why are interpersonal relationships so important?<\/span><\/h2>\n
Also Try:<\/i><\/b> Is There a Workplace Romance Stirring for You Quiz<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/pre>\n
<\/span>10 ways to maintain powerful interpersonal relationships<\/span><\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\n1. Communicate conflicts<\/b><\/h3>\n
2. Be receptive to constructive criticism<\/b><\/h3>\n
3. Try to be open<\/b><\/h3>\n
4. Express empathy<\/b><\/h3>\n
5. Put time into the relationship<\/b><\/h3>\n
6. Set healthy boundaries<\/b><\/h3>\n