why relationships are important to human beings
Relationships are important to human beings because we are constantly surrounded by people in almost every context of our lives. We form relationships in our personal lives, with coworkers, with strangers with who we interact, and with people in passing. Relationships are unavoidable when speaking about human interaction, and relationships are instrumental in our personal and mental development.
Buffer Against Negativity
Some of the benefits of relationships are feeling connected to others, boosting self-esteem, a positive outlook on the world, and feeling supported by others. Relationships can be a buffer to things that happen to you as you progress throughout life. Traumas, tragedies, and unfortunate events happen to almost everyone, and relationships can be an area that we rely on during such times. Friendships and romantic partners can support us when we’re feeling down or anxious. We are close to might notice changes in mood or certain mannerisms when we’re not feeling our best. Even knowing that somebody accepts or loves you might help deal with feelings of loneliness, hopelessness, and isolation.
Benefits of Relationships
Research has shown that relationships can also improve lifespan as well. A meta-review of studies showed that people in healthy long-term relationships were less likely to die prematurely than people without them. This speaks to our social nature and needs for connectedness with other humans. On Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, the need for love and belonging is right below the need for safety, health, and property. Relationships help us with other needs in our life, such as food, access to water, and reproduction. Relationships allow us to provide things for ourselves that we need as well as helping others get some of the things they need.
The relationships we form with our employers and coworkers help us to make money. The relationships we form with romantic partners allow us to procreate and get married if we so choose. Relationships that we form with parents and children alike allow us to leave a legacy and mark on the world. Relationships are so much more than just interactions with others; it’s how we relate to the world and how we experience the world. Human beings are social creatures, and we value relationships, as they hopefully add much more to our lives than being alone.