Humans are social animals, and our relationships, not just romantic ones, have an impact on our well-being. Research shows that a lack of fulfilling and meaningful relationships is one of the biggest risk factors for premature death. In fact, it ranks second, right after smoking. In addition to protecting your well-being, healthy relationships also act as a buffer. For example, it turns out that men in happy marriages are more likely to survive a heart attack than men in unhappy marriages.
In addition to the important impact of relationships on physical health, they have a huge impact on mental health. Research from Harvard University, which has been studying adult development for two generations (1938), has found that the quality of relationships is the best predictor of mental health.
Workplace relationships: a crucial factor for well-being and performance
Good relationships are not only important in your personal life, but also in the workplace. Work is a place where you spend a lot of time, and the quality of your work relationships has a direct impact on your motivation, productivity and job satisfaction. Employees who experience positive work relationships feel more involved, perform better and experience less stress.
But now you may be wondering, why do relationships have such a big impact? This question can be viewed from different angles.
Relationships as a stress buffer and generator of positive experiences
Firstly, social support acts as a buffer for stress and for more positive feelings. Research shows that support from friends or family reduces the production of cortisol (a stress hormone). In addition, positive social interactions promote the release of oxytocin. This is a hormone that strengthens feelings of trust and connection and can also have a calming effect on the nervous system.
Relationships as a psychological basic need
Another psychological theory states that connectedness is one of the three psychological basic needs. The need for connectedness means that we want to feel loved, valued and accepted by others. Relationships help us fulfill this need, which increases our well-being.
From our ancestors…
According to evolutionary theory, it is also understandable why fulfilling and meaningful relationships are so important. Our ancestors survived better in groups, because cooperation helped with protection, food supply and care. Social exclusion used to mean a greater chance of death. This explains why social rejection still has such a strong emotional impact.
What are healthy and positive relationships?
After all this information about the origins and consequences of relationships, you may wonder what healthy (positive) relationships are. Although healthy relationships can look different, there are certain characteristics that healthy relationships contain. How these characteristics are fulfilled differs per relationship. Healthy relationships are relationships in which mutual respect, trust, open communication and emotional safety are central. The relationships are based on equality, in which both partners or individuals feel supported and valued. Relationships that also inspire you and help you grow are called positive relationships.
