Healthy relationships have a lot of components. Communication, respect, and healthy sex to name a few. Healthy sex and good relationships go hand in hand in most cases. Even a one night stand is better when you have a good short term relationship and rapport with your partner. Healthy sex practices translate to skills to have and maintain a healthy relationship. From that one night stand to a marriage of 50 years, these tools in your relationship toolbox will lead you to great places.

As with all good sex, communication is crucial. As stated above, even a one night stand is better if you can communicate your wants, needs, and hard limits to your partner. This goes double for a long term relationship. The communication you practice can make or break a relationship. If you can openly talk about sex, you should be able to openly talk about anything. From who takes out the trash to big relationship issues, being able to talk it out is a key part of a healthy relationship.

Enthusiastic and continued consent is not just for the bedroom. There are many ways consent plays out in a healthy relationship. Finances, social obligations, household chores, and child care are just a few of the topics that both relationship partners must agree on who does what. Forcing these topics on one partner without consent can cause tension in the relationship.

Affection makes its way out of the sexual realm in most good relationships. Having physical and emotional affection for each other in your daily life breeds a strong and caring relationship in many ways. It can be as simple as a passing gentle touch or a kind word to a hot and steamy make out session on the couch. Keeping in touch physically and emotionally keeps you connected in a way nothing else can.

Generosity is a trait that will help in sex and relationships. Generosity in sex will keep your partner satisfied and begging for more. Generosity in the other aspects of your relationship will have your partner happy and hopefully in a place where that generosity is returned. Generosity does not have to mean showering your partner with material things. Do the dishes or other chores.( acts of service)  Be generous with praise and affection.( words of affection)  Be generous with your time and spend it with your partner. ( quality time) 

There is of course, the whole love language craze. If your partner's love language is " words of affection" then they will be especially responsive when you show your interest in them with words of affection. If their " love language" is acts of service, then doing a load of laundry may produce BIG rewards;) 

Being adventurous is also a trait that serves you well in and out of the bedroom. Trying something new and being willing to get out of your comfort zone can lead you to great new places. Try things together, from a fantasy in the bedroom to that new restaurant. Having the willingness to seek new things both sexually and in your everyday relationship will take you to places you did not even know you wanted to go.

The tools that make for great and healthy sex can also make for a great and healthy relationship. Try them out and see how your sex life and your relationship blossom under their care.

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