Relationship Wellness Month is celebrated every February to encourage people to build and maintain healthy relationships. Can you imagine that when dating began in the early 20th century, it was seen by society as a new trick by ladies of the night? Relationships are a connection that two or more persons make. Relationships can be romantic, friendly, professional, transactional, and more. However, Relationship Wellness Month focuses on romantic relationships. According to the Relationship Center, relationship wellness is the ability “to meet your five basic human needs because of your relationship, not despite it.” These five basic needs include survival, connection, significance, freedom, and joy.
History of Relationship Wellness Month
Dating is a relatively new concept that became commonplace at the turn of the 20th century. Before that, courtship was an entirely unemotional affair, arranged by the couples’ parents for business, financial, or other interests. All this changed in the early 20th century when women began migrating to the big cities for work. Outside of their parents’ and relatives’ influences, young women became free to be courted in public by young men — this change in social norms alarmed authorities, including politicians, police, and civic leaders.Due to the low wages received by women compared to their male counterparts, men were expected to pay during dates. That gave birth to the misconception that dates were a new trick developed by prostitutes, and the authorities went all out to curb it. Between the 1900s and 1920s, vice commissions deployed police and undercover investigators across the country to monitor date hotspots. Even private citizens like John D. Rockefeller Jr. funded some of these investigations. Arrests were made, and women were thrown in jail for just going on dates. However, all this fizzled out by the late 1920s, and authorities came to accept reality.In the 1920s, as dating became widely acceptable, businesses began taking advantage of it. The first of such businesses was the cosmetics industry, which introduced makeup for working-class women who wanted to have the same looks as the well-to-do females at the time to attract men. Before the 1900s, only prostitutes and actresses painted their faces. But by 1912, every class of women, including respectable society women, wore makeup. In the 1950s, the concept of “going steady” was introduced as couples publicized their decision to have an exclusive relationship with each other. Like engagements, going steady was sealed when a man gave a woman a ring or an article of clothing. The late 1900s and early 2000s saw the introduction of tech in dating, with the explosion of online dating sites such as Tinder, Bumble, and more.
Relationship Wellness Month timeline
Gaining financial freedom, young women in big cities start dating men in public.
Vice commissions deploy police and undercover investigators to monitor dating hotspots.
Couples’ expression of certain sensual acts in public becomes commonplace.
Online dating sites are now the go-to place for anyone looking for a partner.
Relationship Wellness Month FAQs
How do I have a healthy relationship?
To have a healthy relationship, you need to go into the relationship with a purpose, make sure you and your partner have strong communication, create space for couple activities and yourself, and always show attention and appreciation.
What are the five signs of a healthy relationship?
The signs of a healthy relationship include equality, healthy conflict, respect, honesty, trust, taking responsibility, kindness, independence, and a comfortable place.
How rare is a healthy relationship?
According to social researchers, only about 10% of marriages in the United States are healthy and happy.
Relationship Wellness Month Activities
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Go on a date
Going on a date is a quintessential way to celebrate anything in a relationship. Check yelp or Google for the best restaurants for couples near you and go out and have a memorable time with your loved one.
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Review your relationship
What most couples always forget to do is an analysis of the state of their relationship. Is your relationship going the way you picture it? Are you and your partner happy with the state of the relationship? What needs to stop, continue, and improve? Set aside time during Relationship Wellness Month to discuss all these with your significant other.
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Show gratitude
There are many ways you can express gratitude to your significant other. You can take time out to share with them what you appreciate about them. That could be how they make you laugh and smile, their support, and more. Creating the time to do this will help you build a stronger, healthy relationship.
5 Amazing Facts About Dating We Bet You Didn’t Know
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It was a felony
Young women were arrested for going out on dates with men.
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Blue is the go-to color for dates
Experts recommend blue for men that can’t decide what to wear on dates, as women are attracted to men in blue.
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Online dating is a huge business
The online dating industry makes billions per year in the United States.
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Fresh breath is important
In a survey by Match.com, 43% of singles said fresh breath mattered the most before a date.
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The 14th date
Research has revealed that women don’t fall in love until date number 14, compared to men who fall in love after three dates.
Why We Love Relationship Wellness Month
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Healthy relationships offer a sense of purpose
As humans, we always want to be part of something bigger than ourselves, contributing something meaningful or positive to others’ lives or the world. Being in a healthy relationship where partners do good for each other offers the same experience and feeling, giving you a more profound sense of purpose.
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Healthy relationships lead to less stress and promote longer lives
According to research, couples in a committed relationship are less responsive to psychological stress. That is because the social and emotional support present in a strong relationship serves as a buffer against stress. Additionally, having one or two healthy relationships can positively impact your health, including reducing blood pressure and strengthening your immune systems.
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Healthy relationships enable personal growth
Having that strong assurance that someone will always support you regardless of the circumstances allows people to take greater risks and pursue their goals.
Relationship Wellness Month dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | February 1 | Wednesday |
| 2024 | February 1 | Thursday |
| 2025 | February 1 | Saturday |
| 2026 | February 1 | Sunday |
| 2027 | February 1 | Monday |
