The Role of Platonic Love in Mental Health and Well-Being
Introduction
“The person should be my best friend first and then my life
partner”. These are the words from the motivational speaker Tanya who was
looking for a life partner in the website XYZM. She knows that foundation for
close relationships(life partner) is becoming best friend first. Close
friendships(best friends) can bolster health, improve life satisfaction and
even boost longevity just like platonic love. In 2016 film Ae dil hai mushkil,
Alizeh loved Ayan only as a friend. But
what if Ayan choosed to platonically love Alizeh, then their relationship
problem would have been solved.
Lord Krishna never married Radha as he believed; love and
marriage are two different things. Krishna believed that marriage is an
agreement or arrangement whereas love is a selfless emotion where you pledge to
love someone with purified nature.
Platonic relationships is capable of providing certain
things a romantic love cannot, which includes the freedom to be completely
authentic without fear of rejection.
By reading this blogpost, you will come to know about
beneficial role of platonic love in mental health and well being.
What is platonic love?
A platonic(love)
relationship can be defined as the relationship in which two people share a
close bond but do not have any sexual activity. They may even experience love
for each other, referred to as platonic love. Platonic love focuses on emotional
or spiritual connection. This concept originates in the ideas of the ancient
philosopher Plato, who believed that platonic love could bring people closer to
a divine ideal and also to god.
The platonic relationship focused on the idea that people
can be close friends without sexual desire. Though the desire to touch, to
kiss, to hug is there, but still no physical intimacy exist between the human
male and the human female. Platonic love is a deep friendship which embraces affection,
support, and shared interests.
The main idea of these(platonic) relationships resides in
the mutual concern in each other’s well-being and a wish to see the other
person prosper without the complications and expectations that often go along
with romantic love.
In a nutshell, platonic love is having emotional connection (at
a heart level) with platonic friend.
How platonic love is beneficial for mental well being?
Platonic love is beneficial in following ways:
1.
Platonic relationships are helpful in releasing
oxytocin, which lowers stress response and promotes feelings of calm and
well-being.
2.
Platonic bonds help fight loneliness and
isolation by providing a sense of belonging and connection.
3.
In, platonic relationships, positive feedback,
encouragement, and shared achievements lead to a significant improvement in
self-esteem and confidence.
4.
Platonic relationships help you in becoming more
resilient by providing support to you in the face of life's challenges like troubles
in your romantic relationships, problems in your family, work struggles, or
health challenges.
5.
Individuals who have strong platonic relationships
are protected from depression and anxiety.
6.
Platonic relationship give individuals exposure
to different perspectives, experiences and ideas which can deepen their
understanding of world and themselves.
7.
Friendships in adolescence and adulthood are
helpful in development of essential relationship skills like trust,
communication and emotional support which are necessary.
8.
The platonic relationships create a sense of
purpose and meaning in life by providing emotional support and shared
experiences, thus contributing to overall well-being.
9.
Platonic Friends help each other heal and grow
by tailoring and encouraging honesty, compassion, boundaries, calm conflict
resolution, and other important elements of healthy interpersonal (platonic)
relationships. This type of love can be pivotal when you’re in need to approach
for support.
Conclusion
Thus, we can say that platonic relationships are beneficial
for us with respect to mental as well as emotional well being.
