This can be any relationship – friendship, romance, or family bond – where kindness, compassion, and genuine affection are at work.
Humans form many types of connections – so what makes romantic relationships special? When love is present there is affection, care and respect for another person. Different connections also occur within relationships: from platonic and sexual to emotional and spiritual.
Essentially, “a loving relationship is any relationship — friendship, romance, or family bond — in which kindness, compassion, and genuine affection are manifested,” he explained to Psychological center Carla Marie Manly, clinical psychologist in Santa Rosa, California.
This type of relationship also brings benefits in terms of well-being. “Studies, like this one from 2016, have shown that when you are in a healthy, loving relationship, you can live longer and heal faster,” reveals Tanisha Ranger, a licensed clinical psychologist in Las Vegas. Psychological center.
Additionally, romantic relationships can provide an emotional support system. Tanisha notes, “having someone you know on your team can mitigate the negative impact stress has on you.”
Do romantic relationships have to be romantic?
Despite what the term implies, the answer is a definitive “no.” “They shouldn’t be limited to romantic relationships!” underlines the Psychological center Veronica Morgenstern, clinical social worker in New York. Romantic relationships can take all shapes and forms and “will be classified differently depending on each individual’s needs, desires, and lived experiences,” she explains.
For example, platonic love can be loving without being romantic, and romantic relationships can be loving without sex or physical intimacy. A 2020 study found that women in long-term relationships maintained loving affection for their partner even when their sexual desire declined. In fact, women “describe their intimate connection as based on much more than sex.”
In essence, Veronica notes, the basic human desire for this type of relationship is largely instilled in early childhood, but the dynamic can evolve as we age.
Signs of a love relationship
If romantic relationships take many forms and change depending on personalities and contexts, how do you know if yours falls into this category?
According to all respondents, signs and attributes to look for include:
-mutual respect
-consideration
-compassion
-honesty
-Trust
-I commit
-mutual effort
-be in tune with emotions
-listen to each other completely
-enjoy each other’s company
-respect limits
A love connection does not need to include all of these elements to be classified as such.
Steps to build a loving relationship
Whether starting from scratch or enhancing existing relationships, several approaches can help you develop loving connections. Watch:
1. Focus on yourself – As the saying goes, you can’t love someone if you don’t love yourself first. So aim to “build a skills kit that helps you feel grounded in who you are, emotionally regulated, and at peace,” Veronica says.
2. Recognize your needs – “It is extremely important to have an individual plan for a romantic relationship,” says Verônica. Carla agrees and adds that important elements can be considered: honesty, kindness, reciprocity, humor and creativity. “The more aware you are of what you want in your relationships, the more likely you are to give and receive authentic love,” Carla says.
3. Set your limits: “Many people think that pleasing people or giving in to others will create love,” Carla continues. “However, truly loving relationships are those that respect boundaries.” It’s okay to compromise, but consider not losing sight of your wants and needs. A person who deserves your time and affection will respect your boundaries.
4. Quality over quantity: you may want to stay focused and try not to get carried away. “With truly healthy, loving relationships, the depth of connection far outweighs the number of connections,” Veronica shares.
5. Seek professional help: Especially for those with a traumatic history or attachment issues, working with a therapist can help identify obstacles and develop mechanisms to overcome them. This will also help establish self-awareness, which Carla believes is crucial in building connections.
6. Make the most of what you have: For those who are already in a romantic relationship, there are things you can do to maintain and strengthen it. Tanisha lists some of them:
-Make time for each other
-Keep evening appointments updated
-Talking about life, goals and the future
-You are part of each other’s team
-Recognize when your partner does something right
-Show love, affection, appreciation and care every day
Why do some people find it difficult to have romantic relationships?
As attractive as romantic relationships are, some find them more difficult to develop or maintain. For example, people who have experienced trauma or have had attachment problems may find this more difficult. But why?
Trauma
“When you experience trauma, you can start to believe that the world is inherently dangerous,” Tanisha reveals. “With relational trauma – [que] it can include any type of aggression, betrayal or any harm done to you in the context of a relationship with another human being – it becomes very, very difficult to experience a loving relationship because you don’t believe you can have it,” he continues. You can develop mistrust , not only towards others, but also towards their judgement, together with: fear, contempt and avoidance behaviours. However, it is essential to know, he adds, that “it can be cured [e] you can improve.”
Emotional attachment problems
These can arise from trauma in adulthood, but they also arise from early life experiences. “For example, a child whose parents are very critical, emotionally distant, or abusive will develop an insecure attachment style,” Carla explains. Not having a secure, solid foundation in your initial and most foundational relationships can greatly affect how you view and approach connections later.
That said, most people with attachment problems desire a romantic relationship, but “there will be a conscious or unconscious avoidance of a truly intimate connection, without therapeutic intervention,” Carla concludes.
Source: Psych Central
Source: Terra
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
