Being in a relationship can be a beautiful gift, as supportive partners often provide a safe space to heal and grow. While you don’t want to rely on your partner to “fix” you or solve all your issues without you lifting a finger, it’s totally fair and even healthy to lean on your partner through tough times.

For example, let’s say you’re experiencing a panic attack while in public. A good partner will sit with you, breathing through it as you calm your nervous system and relax back into your body. This is a practice called “co-regulation,” and it can improve both your relationships and your heart health.

What Is Co-Regulation?

According to Sherry Pagoto, Ph.D., a licensed clinical psychologist and Professor in the Department of Allied Health Sciences at the University of Connecticut, in

See Full Page