In this month of romance, it’s easy to be swept up in the hype of expressive declarations of love and affection with gifts, cards, poems and romantic dinners. We know that it feels good to be in the right relationship, and to be loved by someone you are attracted to not only physically but in all aspects. During this time around Valentine's Day, it can also be easy for single people or those who have lost ones that they truly love, to feel incredibly lonely and isolated. In this blog, we will explore just how important love and romance is in relationships, and why we are so dependent on connection as humans.
What is Love?
Human beings can thrive on social interaction, whether with friends, relatives, or pets. People may experience an inherent need for strong bonds. The type of love an individual craves can determine the course of their entire life.
Those who desire families may experience the joys of parenthood and marriage. Individuals who enjoy meeting others might pursue a lifestyle that allows them to make many friends from different cultures. They might have various relationships and experiences expanding their understanding of humanity. Those who aim to find romance might satisfy their physical needs through sexual connection or enjoy passion and intimacy with another individual. People who love animals may reap the benefits of an unconditional bond. It has been proven that pets lower stress, improve blood pressure, increase overall happiness, and boost emotional and social development in children.
Why do we crave affection?
To love and to feel loved can feel as significant as other needs, such as food and drink. Gestures of affection may allow individuals to feel loved, meaningful, and not alone. Physical touch love language is often a necessity for meaningful relationships. Physical touch (including our own) reduces pain, which is why we might hold onto a part of our body if it is injured.
In a romantic relationship, a lack of affection or intimacy can cause doubts, lead to conflicts, and point to possible issues in the relationship. It can be normal to tell your partner, "I need love and affection in this relationship." Love and affection are often expected when dating or in long-term partnerships. Family or friends can also have close bonds when they're comfortable with showing love.
Romance is important in relationships – here’s why
A healthy and happy relationship will have romance. Some may not know how to define romance in words, but they know actions to show that let their partner know they particularly care about them. Some partners may not understand how to implement passion in a relationship. Therefore, they may not see why it makes a relationship more meaningful. Understanding romance is essential for partners looking to rekindle their love for each other.
Romance is a way of showing love and affection to your partner that is close to your heart. It is what keeps partners interested in each other. It includes doing things that get their attention and win their hearts. It involves doing thoughtful acts of kindness with a special touch. At the same time, the work you're putting in is part of an ongoing effort essential to the relationship's health.
People put in a considerable amount of effort to be romantic early in the relationship but don't realize how much until the relationship changes dynamics change. Some may break down emotionally, feel ignored, or feel the relationship is stagnant when romantic efforts decrease.
Get connected
Even though it seems we’re always connected thanks to social media and ever changing technology that appears to simplify life, that notion couldn’t be further from the truth. A recent survey revealed that over 3 in 5 people are lonely. To make matters worse, this feeling of isolation has substantially increased since the start of the pandemic in 2020.
What is human connection?
Human connection is a deep bond that’s formed between people when they feel seen and valued. During an authentic human connection, people exchange positive energy with one another and build trust. Human connection makes you feel heard and understood and gives you a sense of belonging.
One study showed that people who experienced an increase in connectedness with others during the pandemic had:
Greater life satisfaction
More resilience
Better mental health
Having a strong support system helps people overcome challenges more easily and maintain a state of mental well-being.
Human connection also decreases health risks and improves physical well-being and longevity. Strong social connections strengthen the immune system and increase your chances of a longer life.
How do you make human connections? 6 ways to feel more connected
Making human connections sometimes requires being brave and taking chances. For example, striking up a conversation with someone new can be intimidating, especially if you’re shy. It requires you to step out of your comfort zone despite feeling nervous.
Ultimately, the rewarding feeling of building human connections far outweighs the initial fear you may feel when you put yourself out there. Let’s look at six simple ways you can integrate into society.
- Surround yourself with people with shared interests
It’s easy to bond with people who share the same interests and hobbies as you. If you love reading, joining a book club can be a great way to socialize and form new friendships with people that share your love of books. Or, if you’re a runner who likes to stay active, joining a local running club could be an opportunity to meet new people.
- Overcome your fear of change
Building relationships is often intimidating because of a natural fear of rejection. But to make these connections, we have to overcome our resistance to change and embrace situations outside our comfort zone. Practice makes perfect in this case, and the more you practice socialising and meeting people, the easier it will become.
- Smile and emanate a positive attitude
First impressions count. Trying to have a generally positive demeanour and a genuine smile will naturally draw people to you. That doesn't mean you have to be positive all the time or blindly optimistic. But it's helpful to do a gratitude exercise and spend a few minutes noticing what is good in your life prior to spending time around others. Research shows people are more drawn to positive emotions than negative ones when it comes to forming social connections.
- Open up to others
If you want to make friends more easily, allow yourself to be more vulnerable with others. That doesn't mean to drop all filters or boundaries. Too much, too soon can put others off and leave you feeling more alone. But you also don't have to be a curated version of yourself.
People can sense whether someone is genuine or not, so let them see the most authentic version of you. Your vulnerability will also prompt them to feel comfortable around you and connect with you on a deeper level.
- Don’t hide in your phone
It’s easy to retreat into our smartphones when we’re feeling uncomfortable in a social situation. But this can hinder our ability to make real-life connections.
For example, being on your phone during a party or while networking will make you seem less approachable. Whenever you’re out, focus on being present and engaging with the people around you.
- Stay in touch
Human connection needs to be nurtured. For example, if you’ve made a new friend, keep in touch with them and grow your friendship. At the same time, work on maintaining your existing relationships with close friends, family, or team members.
Regular contact deepens your connections with others and ensures you don’t lose touch with those you value most.