Relationships are groups of people that are connected by trust and affection. These can include family relationships, friendships, acquaintanceships, or romantic relationships. A relationship can also refer to a more formal and committed relationship such as marriage or a cohabitation agreement. Regardless of the type of relationship, relationships have the potential to impact our health and wellbeing in various ways.
In healthy relationships, people feel mutually gratifying and the love they share is genuine. They also experience a boost in their self-esteem when they see the best qualities of their partner reflected back to them.
One of the key reasons for this boost is that when people are around a person they love, certain areas in their brain are stimulated. This is what researchers call the “savoring effect.”
The benefits of having a supportive and loving partner don’t stop with this feeling of happiness, though. Positive relationships help give us the courage and confidence to take more risks and pursue our dreams. They also provide us with a companionate safety net of support to fall back on when we fail.
In a relationship, physical intimacy isn’t just about sex, but can also include kissing, holding hands, and cuddling. In addition, regular and affectionate touch (such as hugging) has been shown to boost the levels of oxytocin, which influences bonding and attachment. When conflicts do arise, people in healthy relationships are able to discuss their differences without taking them personally.