2 Reasons Why Relationships Matter

Healthy relationships are key to our existence. Since civilisation began, the human race has always yearned for contact with others. It goes deeper than you think, and since this is one of the niches I have decided to write about on Medium, I would love to share with you my findings.

1.Happiness

According to a recent Harvard Study relating to Adult Male Development, the quality of human connection directly correlated with increased happiness and enhanced longevity. Therefore, being alone can lead to depression and if this is a habit, it can have long term damage.

I can be an introverted person at times ( I think we all are) which can lead to relationships fading. Everyone needs alone time to regroup but we must continue to build and hold onto relationships that we want to sustain. Lockdowns around the world have led to further isolation between family and friends. In my opinion, I have found it even more challenging to hold onto friends and even some family members due to the long stints of being at home and separated from each other. We must break this cycle and rebuild these so that human connections can be regained leading to greater happiness. As I have mentioned in a previous post, I have two life spectrums. One half of my family is English, where the family is very small and very separated. My other half is Indian, where I have approximately 50–60 family members, which is very close and the majority of these live within a 0–10 mile radius of one another. Both sides have good and bad points, however, the latter is full of connections and I have lately realised this I must make more effort with these people to enhance my relationships. The problem here is that Asians, who are at heart heavily family-orientated, are also becoming much more isolated, which will lead to further mental health issues in people that we do not currently understand in full.

2. Support

Having the support of others, when times are tough is crucial to our emotional stability. It can provide us as individuals with a new way of looking at a certain event or situation that we are facing. I feel the more we talk and discuss our thoughts and feelings with each other, the additional support we can gain.

Photo by Neil Thomas on Unsplash

There is also a direct correlation between relationships and our mental health. Studies even go further to show that loneliness can also cause physical health issues. The reason is human connection and touch are like vitamin boosts as they invoke ‘feel good’ chemical reactions. When we ask for support, most people are happy to provide and enable each connection to be in the present moment, filtering out life stresses that we all carry in our daily thoughts. . Support also can be a stress reduction, knowing that they can rely on someone for help and guidance. Everyone has that so-called ‘Rock’ who they can go to without being judged or looked at differently if they can talk through a certain situation.

Another topic I write about on Medium is Stoicism, which is the philosophy of action and being in the present, self-control and fortitude as a means of overcoming destructive emotions. I enjoy adding quotes from Marcus Aurelius, who was a Roman who practised this philosophy and is one of the founding fathers. You might recognise his name from the movie, Gladiator. He was played by Richard Harris and was the Father of Joaquin Phoenix’s Character (Commodus). He is known as one of the greatest Roman emperors, due to his Wisdom and forgiveness within the Empire.

Marcus Aurelius- “Not to display anger or other emotions. To be free of passion and yet full of love.”

Practising Stoicism has allowed me to have healthier relationships and perceive them differently (as happiness and support mechanisms). If both parties in a connection control their emotions, they can both greatly support each other. Emotions can sometimes cloud rational thoughts, however, if we practice enhancing relationships through giving more to others, it can lead to greater happiness, fulfilment and a sense of belonging.