Platonic relationships are ones that lack romance and focus on close friendship. They may be with a friend, a coworker, or a family member.
Research suggests that these types of relationships can provide a variety of health benefits, including emotional support, autonomy, understanding, and kindness. In addition, they may offer a safe space to explore your sexuality without the pressure of romantic relationships.
Meaningful Relationships
Meaningful relationships are relationships that bring joy, make us feel secure and fulfilled, and cherished by another. They are often romantic or platonic, and they may exist in-person or virtually. They can also be short-term or long-term, and they have their own special purpose.
While there is no one-size-fits-all definition for meaningfulness, psychologists and experts agree that there are several important qualities to look for. They include empathy, honesty and dependability, as well as being able to show up consistently for the other person in the relationship.
Empathy refers to the ability to understand and share someone else’s experiences, thoughts and feelings. It can be difficult to do, but it’s essential for creating a meaningful connection with your partner.
Honesty is also a key factor, because it’s one of the pillars of trust. It means that you speak the truth and behave the way you say you will, regardless of the situation.
Being dependable refers to the ability to keep your word and be there for your partner in difficult times, as well as on good days. This includes keeping commitments and promises, being consistent, and being available for your partner in both physical and emotional ways.
The other important element of meaningful relationships is a sense of mutuality, says Dr. David Bowers, a licensed marriage and family therapist. This is an important quality because “it means there are common goals and interests between the two people involved in a relationship.”
If you’re having trouble with a long-distance relationship, be sure to communicate effectively. Studies have shown that phone and video calls can foster a sense of intimacy in long-distance relationships, while writing letters promotes feelings of thoughtfulness.
In addition, you should always try to communicate your emotions and concerns openly. If your partner isn’t openly sharing their own issues, it may be time to move on.
While it’s a good idea to be patient when building your relationship, it can be tempting to rush things or to push the boundaries of your comfort zone. Taking a little time to build a deep connection will help the relationship last.
Keeping Sex Out of Conversations
Platonic relationships can be just as meaningful and strong as romantic ones, but they do require different strategies for keeping sex out of conversations. If you’re in a platonic relationship, it’s crucial to keep your emotions under control so that you don’t send the wrong signals or give off too much sexual energy.
One key way to keep sex out of conversations is to always keep your communication clear and honest. If you have a friend who is a guy and you feel the urge to flirt, for example, it’s important to tell your partner upfront so that they don’t get confused.
If you’re in a platonic friendship with someone who is a girl, it’s also important to communicate your boundaries. If you’re in a monogamous relationship, it’s especially vital to make sure that you and your spouse are on the same page about how you interact with those of opposite sex.
The right words, tone of voice, and body language can be a big part of whether sex comes up in conversations or not. For example, if you and your platonic friend strip down together for skinny dipping, it’s possible that your partner might feel jealous.
Your friend might also be uncomfortable with the idea of you getting close to another person without their permission. They may feel that you’re sabotaging their chances of dating a potential boyfriend or girlfriend.
It’s also important to remember that platonic friendships can take on different forms for everyone. If you have a friend who goes to concerts, has similar tastes in movies, and likes hiking, for example, you might feel a lot of sexual tension with them from time to time.
However, you should never try to turn your platonic friendship into something more than it is. That’s not healthy, and it can ruin the bond between you both.
It’s not hard to keep sex out of your friendships, but it can be challenging at times. As you become more mindful of the issues that are commonly associated with platonic friendships, you’ll be better equipped to deal with them in a healthy and productive way.
Maintaining Personal Space
Personal space is a crucial component of any relationship, but it’s even more important when you’re in a platonic one. You need to know how much time you have to yourself, how you can manage your own needs, and when it’s appropriate to make an effort to reclaim some of that space.
Maintaining healthy personal space can be a difficult challenge, but it’s essential for your mental and physical health. Excessive stress can lead to health problems, such as cardiac disease or high blood pressure, and can also contribute to mood issues like anxiety or depression.
For most people, claiming and maintaining some personal space is an important part of keeping your relationships healthy. It can be as simple as telling someone that you prefer handshakes over hugs, or you need to have your mail forwarded to a separate mailbox.
It can be a challenging thing to do, especially when you’re in a relationship and feel a strong need for connection with your partner. However, it’s a crucial component of any healthy relationship, and can help keep your partner happy and your mood in check.
The best way to maintain personal space is to be honest and open about your needs. You should never be embarrassed or ashamed about your requests, so talk with your partner about why you’re looking to spend some time apart and what you hope the outcome will be.
You should also be sure to set boundaries with your partner regarding how much time you both spend together and what happens when you are apart. For example, you should always tell your partner if they can access your emails, text messages, and social media accounts at any time. This will prevent them from tampering with your sensitive information and causing more harm than good to your relationship.
In addition to maintaining personal space, you should also be sure to take some time for yourself from your relationship and maintain healthy relationships with friends and family as well. Alone time can recharge your batteries and help you focus on the things that matter most to you, such as your work or your family.
Getting Help
If you are experiencing problems in your platonic relationship or if you have other concerns that need attention, it may be time to seek help. Fortunately, online counseling is available at places like BetterHelp, which allows you to meet with licensed mental health professionals from the comfort of your home or office.
Whether you are in a platonic friendship or an intimate romantic relationship, it is always important to maintain healthy boundaries between the two. When you do, you will feel more confident and secure in your relationship.
As a matter of fact, a strong and healthy friendship can even be the source of emotional support in the face of tough times, including work issues, family challenges, or health challenges. In fact, research has found that people who cultivate social connections have a lower risk of developing mental health problems, such as depression or anxiety.
In a platonic relationship, you can have deep conversations without the pressure to move the conversation forward or be physically intimate. It will also be less likely to create feelings of jealousy, insecurity, or complications between the two of you.
If you have a lot of doubts and fears about your platonic relationship, it is probably time to talk with a therapist. A therapist can help you understand why you are feeling this way and provide you with helpful tips to address your concerns.
Your therapist can also help you figure out how to best approach your platonic friend. They can offer advice on how to best communicate with your partner, including what to say and what not to say. They can also help you set and achieve goals that will improve your relationship.
Ultimately, your therapist can help you manage your emotions so that you can better care for your platonic partner. By doing so, you can keep your relationship strong and growing.
When you are in a platonic relationship, it is always important to be open and honest about what you are feeling and what you are doing. This will help you both feel more comfortable and safe in the relationship, says Coleman.
