Romantic relationships may be hard to find,
but they can also add three years to your life and provide a lifetime of memories. You’ll be happier, less lonely and can enjoy lower levels of stress by finding someone special.
If you’re struggling to find romance, online dating removes many of the obstacles people face when meeting in person.
You’ll be able to find a physical and personality match that is perfect for you.
But before trying to find your perfect match, it’s important to understand why relationships are important in our lives.
Understanding the Importance of Relationships in Our Life
Relationships, whether romantic, friendships, business or with family, are vital to the overall well-being of a person. When you have healthy romantic relationships, they can have a profound impact on your life and health.
The University of Minnesota outlines how healthy relationships can change a person’s life.
1. You’ll Live Longer
A peer review of 148 studies on impact of relationships and life span found that:
- Relationships reduce the risk of dying prematurely by 50%
- Finding a life partner can add three years to your life expectancy
But it is important to note that men benefit more from marriage than women in this respect.
An additional study on 127,545 Americans found that married men are healthier than men who are divorced or never married. Marrying after 25 also provides more health benefits than marrying at a young age.
Romantic relationships may provide better health and a longer lifespan for several reasons, but the key reason suggested in the study is lower loneliness levels. Married men living with their wives are among the healthiest, while those that live with their partners but are not married are healthier than single individuals.
Living longer is one of the many health benefits of a relationship, but there are many more.
2. Lower Stress Levels
Stress is inevitable, and relationships offer an escape from stress. When you’re in a relationship, you’re able to recover from stress faster than when you’re single. A study including 100 people found that the impact of stress is reduced when a person is reminded of having a strong relationship.
But if the relationship is unhealthy, you may suffer from higher:
- Stress
- Blood pressure levels
Oftentimes, having someone to share these stressful moments with can have a great impact on the overall impact of stress.
What Happens When You Have Low Social Support?
If you’re not in a relationship and have low social support, the negative impact on your life can be severe. In fact, a healthy relationship improves a person’s well-being as much as a 50% increase in income.
