The Benefits of Building and Maintaining Close Relationships

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The Power of Connection

We live in an age where loneliness is becoming increasingly common. With the rise of technology, people are more connected to one another than ever before. Yet, it is possible to have hundreds of connections online but still feel isolated and alone. This can have a detrimental effect on our physical and mental well-being. It is clear that having meaningful relationships with other people is essential to our health and happiness. In this article, we will explore the many benefits of building and maintaining close relationships.


The Psychological Benefits

One of the most obvious benefits of building and maintaining close relationships is the psychological benefits they provide. Good relationships provide us with a sense of security, belonging and acceptance. They provide us with a source of emotional support, someone to talk to when we are feeling down and someone to celebrate our successes with. Studies have found that close relationships can even help to reduce stress and anxiety levels, as well as boost our self-esteem and confidence. Additionally, having a close relationship with someone can increase our mental resilience, meaning we are better equipped to deal with difficult situations.


The Physical Benefits

It’s not just our mental wellbeing that benefits from close relationships. Having close relationships has also been shown to have a positive effect on our physical health. Studies have found that having meaningful relationships with other people can help to lower blood pressure, reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke and even improve our immune systems. Additionally, having close relationships can help to improve our sleep quality and reduce fatigue.


The Impact on Longevity

Having close relationships doesn’t just make us feel better in the short term; it can also have a positive effect on our longevity. Studies have found that having meaningful relationships with others can reduce the risk of premature death by up to 50%. This is because having close relationships can help to reduce stress levels and improve our overall wellbeing. Additionally, having close relationships can also help to reduce the risk of developing certain serious illnesses such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease.


Tips for Building and Maintaining Close Relationships

Building and maintaining close relationships can be challenging, especially if you are naturally introverted or have difficulty connecting with people. Here are some tips to help you build and maintain close relationships:
  • Be open and honest: Be open and honest with your friends and family about your thoughts and feelings. This will help to create a deeper connection and make it easier to build trust.
  • Respect boundaries: Respect the boundaries of your relationships and be mindful of how much time and energy you are asking of another person.
  • Listen: Listen to the other person with an open mind and without judgment. This will help to create a deeper understanding between the two of you.
  • Communicate: Make sure to communicate openly and frequently with your friends and family. This will help to keep the relationship strong and healthy.
  • Show appreciation: Show appreciation for your friends and family and let them know how much you appreciate them. This will help to strengthen your connection and make them feel valued.


Conclusion

Building and maintaining close relationships is essential to our physical and mental well-being. Having close relationships can help to reduce stress and anxiety, improve our sleep quality and reduce fatigue. Additionally, it can reduce the risk of premature death and certain serious illnesses such as cancer and heart disease. To build and maintain close relationships, it is important to be open and honest, respect boundaries, listen, communicate, and show appreciation.


References
Berkowitz, L. (2018). The power of relationships: The impact of relationships on health, well-being, and longevity. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 27(1), 19-25.
Cohen, S., Doyle, W. J., Turner, R. B., Alper, C. M., & Skoner, D. P. (2003). Emotional style and susceptibility to the common cold. Psychological Science, 14(4), 612-617.
Kiecolt-Glaser, J. K., Loving, T. J., Stowell, J. R., Malarkey, W. B., Lemeshow, S., Dickinson, S. L., & Glaser, R. (2005). Hostile marital interactions, proinflammatory cytokine production, and wound healing. Archives of General Psychiatry, 62(12), 1377-1384.
Kiecolt-Glaser, J. K., McGuire, L., Robles, T. F., & Glaser, R. (2002). Emotions, morbidity, and mortality: New perspectives from psychoneuroimmunology. Annual Review of Psychology, 53(1), 83-107.
Seeman, T. E., McEwen, B. S., Rowe, J. W., & Singer, B. H. (2001). Allostatic load: A model of the wear and tear on the body. In B. S. McEwen (Ed.), The effects of stress on the brain (pp. 153-186). New York: Academic Press.

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