And while it’s aggressively cheesy, science shows it’s not wrong.
But we’re not just talking about romantic love.
This includes platonic love as well.
Platonic love is similar to romantic; all that it lacks is intense, passionate emotions.
Both platonic and romantic relationships offer mental health benefits.
But is one more beneficial than the other?
Platonic relationships can reduce stress levels
Life is full ofstressors.
It’s easy to let them pile up and crowd our mental space.
But, research shows that having solid friendships can make life a little easier.
The experiment tested a person’s perception of a hill while alone versus standing beside a friend.
Those standing beside a friend estimated that the hill was less challenging than those on their own.
We tend to worry less when going through life with someone we trust.
Stress induces a load of mental and physical issues.
High levels of self-esteem can also lead to healthier friendships.
Having self-respect and admiration can kickstart a plethora of positive outcomes.
According toVerwell Mind, self-esteem is crucial to coping with and overcoming life challenges.
But that more-than-friends feeling is pretty obvious when you encounter it.
Reduced anxiety can lead to a plethora of mental and physical benefits.
Interestingly, this is true even when comparing married couples to single people with a healthy circle of friends.
It’s not impossible to be physical with someone you don’t have feelings for.
There are a number of studies that suggest this.
These expressions of love are daily occurrences in most healthy romantic relationships.
“We are constantly fed the message that the romantic relationship is the only one that matters.”
Overall, to preserve and enhance your mental health, strengthening your bonds should be your main priority.
