Article originally published on JuiceBox Blog. Open relationships aren’t the oddity they use to be. Chances are that you know someone in some form of non-traditional, non-monogamous relationship, or maybe you’ve given it a try yourself. Brianna Rader, founder of the Juicebox Sex & Relationship App, which connects people to sex & relationship coaches, explains: “Traditional monogamy is the default option in our society, but people forget how daunting an expectation it can be, especially since we expect our partner to fulfill all our needs until death.” There are a lot of misconceptions and misunderstandings about open relationships. Whether you are interested in exploring an open relationship or just want to educate yourself, its best to start with the basic vocabulary, typical scenarios, and parameters for successful navigation.

Ethical Non-monogamy

Ethical non monogamy is a blanket term to describe any relationship involving more than two romantic or sexual partners in which all parties are respected and aware of the nature of the relationship. This means that all partners involved are aware of the other partner(s) other relationships, and enthusiastically consent to whatever specific form or relations their situation involves. The appeal of this kind of relationship is that you get your sexual and social needs fulfilled from several sources/people. Diversity in how (and from whom) you get your needs met helps keep you from putting pressure on any one person to have to meet “all your needs.” This can go a long way towards helping you (and others) create healthy, thriving relationships from casual hook-ups to friends-with-benefits and beyond.

Open Relationships vs. Polyamory

Open relationships focus more on fulfillment of sexual needs outside of a relationship and tend to be non-romantic. This can take many forms, from tinder hookups and swinging with your partner, to larger events like play parties and group sex. These events are useful if you suffer from falling in love easily, and you don’t want to “be in a relationship” right now. But for those who are already in a relationship and are looking for more or different sexual fulfillment, the term monogamish covers couples who have activities outside of their relationship, but still have some form of commitment to each other. Polyamory is a romantic relationship with more than one person at a time; with the root poly- meaning multiple and amor- meaning love. This can work in a lot of different ways but the two main categories these kinds of relationships can fall under are hierarchical and non-hierarchical. Hierarchical is when you have a primary partner, then secondary and so on giving priority to the partner higher in the hierarchy. Non-hierarchical relationships have all partners being treated equally in terms of time and decision making power for the relationship. All this may sound simple, but in practice it can get complicated. If boundaries aren’t set and relationship status aren’t clear, things can go wrong and feelings can get hurt. To help avoid that, the experts at Juicebox have 8 tips for navigating open or casual relationships, while still being respectful and having fun.

8 Tips for Navigating Open Relationships

1. Limit Sex To 1x A Month

For most people, it’s really hard to “fall in love” and “stay in love” if you only have sex with each other once every 28-30 days. For some folks, sex twice a month can work, especially if everyone follows the rest of the Protocols. The more frequently you have sex with the same person (especially GREAT sex), the closer you are to “having a relationship” whether you’re calling it that or not.

2. Limit How You Stay In Contact/Communicate

Be conscious of how you’re staying in touch with your lovers/hookups. If you’re sexting/texting/calling/hanging out with each other every day or several times a week, and you weren’t doing that before (or you’re trying to turn a hookup into an actual friend), you may unconsciously be sliding into “relationship mode.” If you find yourself Facebook stalking your lover or getting upset that you don’t see each other or talk “enough,” realize that they’ve unintentionally become your “dopamine dealer.”

3. Don’t Do Sleepovers, Beware Of Morning Sex

Having an unintentional sleepover (you have sex ‘til late in the night and it’s just more practical to crash in the same bed, or you accidentally fall asleep on each other and, boom!, it’s morning!)… or banging each other the next morning can flip the “you’re dreamy” switch.

4. No Trips/Weekend Getaways Together

Long weekends and trips together, by their nature, include sleepovers and morning sex! Danger! Danger! Going away on a trip with a lover, having several days of sex, lots of pillow talk, sharing meals together, waking up next to each other = dating and having a relationship, doesn’t it? It’s a perfect recipe for falling in love or having someone fall in love with you.

5. Talk Openly About What Is And Isn’t Working

Build into even your “most casual” of hook-ups that everyone can talk openly about what’s going on for them. It makes for better sex, healthier hook-ups, and less drama. For a professional, outside perspective, try working with a sex & relationship coach to help you navigate an open relationship more smoothly.

6. Thank Folks Within 24-Hours

Send a fun and/or silly (yet respectful!) text or voicemail within 24-hours thanking them. Why? Sometimes we get caught up in our insecurities about sex, especially casual sex, so sending a message letting them know that you think they’re awesome often goes a loooong way towards letting them know that you feel good about your time together and that they shouldn’t worry or feel bad. It also makes you look like a class act, which you are!

7. Always Practice Safer Sex

ALWAYS A) Have your safer sex conversation before sex. B) Use condoms for penetrative sex. C) Get tested at least twice a year. D) Have sex with people who do 1-3 and will notify you if they test positive for something.

8. Respect People’s Privacy

Bragging or gossiping isn’t sexy or cool. If you’re excited about the sex you’re having and want to tell the world, please ask your lovers if it’s okay for you to share. There’s a lot to consider when beginning an open relationship. Whether you want to try it on your own or open up your relationship with your current partner, you may have doubts or insecurities, especially if it's your first experience. This is where resources like Juicebox private 1-on-1 counseling, can help you can discuss your needs and figure out what kind of relationship is right for you. Article originally published on JuiceBox Blog. We’re excited to offer Slutbox readers a free 5-day trial of sex and relationship coaching on Juicebox. Use the code SLUT to get started with a personal coach for free. Learn more about Juicebox or download the Juicebox App for free.