Every day, and more so with Valentine’s right around the corner, there are more and more people trying to redefine what it is to be in a relationship. Men and women, couples and singles, it seems that we’re all yearning to have someone by our side. But the ways of thinking, the roles, and the environment are changing so fast that it’s getting more and more complicated to be in a sound relationship that can give us just what we’re searching for.

In times like these, what we ask from one single person is not simple: love, acceptance, commitment, and freedom. But it is proving difficult to find all these things. This is a new concept that we must all build together, and to do so we propose two paths.

First, we must know ourselves, accept and love ourselves, and be committed to our wishes and values. In other words, we must let go of all that has prevented us from becoming who we really are.

Another path is to begin to know our loved one. But how? By learning from our differences. The main difference resides in how each conceives a relationship and the way to communicate. Men believe that actions speak louder than words, while women believe that more intimacy and loving words are the way to go.

American cardiologist Marianne J. Legato, a pioneer in gender medicine, states in her papers that men and women have different hearts, both in terms of composition and how they work. Even the way in which we experience heart diseases is considerably different. Neurobiology explains the differences between the male and female brains. The male brain is bigger and has more cells, whereas the female brain has more cellular connections and a much more complex system. These biological differences appear reinforced by norms, roles, and expectations imposed by society.

Try to keep these differences in mind. Know yourself and change they way you act. In doing so, your brain and heart will correspond to your wishes and objectives, and you’ll find a new, more effective way to relate to others.

In your quest to form meaningful relationships, you must open yourself up to all possibilities. Consider alternative ways and therapies that will help you dig deep into what it is you need and what you must change.

If you believe that you must first work on your own self, we suggest trying out therapies and treatments to relax and open up, such as massages with aromatherapy, mud therapy, meditation, Tai chi chuan, or yoga. If you consider that getting closer to your mate is more important at the moment, we suggest spending some time together, sharing experiences, such as a couples massage or meditation. You can also try astrology and feng shui to understand each other and achieve harmony in your relationship.

You can read more about these and other therapies in our directory, and strengthen they way you relate to others. Learn from the differences and embrace the possibilities.