A supportive, healthy relationship with your significant other is one of the great joys in life. It can result in less overall stress and a better sense of well-being. There's even evidence to suggest that married people heal more quickly after major surgery! While a happy home life with your spouse is great, however, it's important to foster other good relationships, too.

Reduced Pressure on Partner

It makes sense that you would want to share everything with your romantic partner. Putting the bulk of your relational needs on him or her can be counterproductive, though. It's not feasible to expect one person to be everything that you need to fulfill your social needs. Having other relationships can help you find the support you need without having to put undue pressure on your significant other.

If nothing else, cultivating outside friendships and family bonds can give both partners some downtime in which they can pursue their own individual interests. For example, you may love going to comic book conventions whereas your partner does not. Having friends who are just as enthusiastic about your fandoms as you are means that you can still enjoy these gatherings with people you know and your partner does not feel compelled to spend the weekend feigning excitement. Instead, he or she can enjoy hobbies that you have no interest in while you're gone.

Smaller Likelihood of Codependency

Viewing marriage as the pinnacle of relationship success is common in this culture. When you buy into the notion that a romantic relationship should be your highest priority or that you need to sacrifice everything for your partner, however, you may start to shut others out to meet the demands of your relationship with your significant other. Focusing on just one relationship while neglecting others can bring out codependent tendencies:

• Foregoing self-care to take care of others
• Becoming fearful of rejection, criticism or conflict
• Excusing consistently hurtful behavior to preserve the relationship
• Becoming frustrated and resentful

Maintaining a variety of good relationships, however, can help you balance the interdependence you share with your partner with your own healthy autonomy. You need a certain measure of both to keep you grounded.

Safe Space To Vent

No matter how solid a relationship you have with your partner, you occasionally need a sounding board for the small frustrations that arise. While some people enjoy the privilege of a therapist for such occasions, it can be just as helpful to get insight from a couple of close friends. This is especially true of friends who have known you for a long time, as they have the benefit of knowing you both before and after you met your significant other. They are likely to understand your likes and dislikes and what you need in a partner. These friends can also spot warning signs in your relationships and provide the support you need to leave if that becomes necessary.

Longer, Happier Life

Having a supportive significant other can reduce stress and some of its physical effects. The relationship can meet emotional needs, too, such as fending off loneliness and giving you a sense of belonging. When life's challenges arise, you know you have someone in your corner. Other healthy relationships simply add to these benefits. In fact, having a strong social network can even increase longevity. Taking care of all your relationships is one of the keys to a happier life. 

Having someone to share your life with is wonderful, but even the strongest partnership cannot replace your other significant relationships. Maintaining a rich support system that includes a variety of relationships is the best way to meet all your own social needs while providing support to them in return.