It can be awesome to have a friend of the opposite sex without any romantic intention. Two persons who have a strong bond but no sexual attraction to one another are said to be in a platonic relationship. By exposing oneself to the other gender, you can gain insight into their way of life.
Platonic relationships can be challenging.
In the worst-case scenario, you can find yourself in an unsatisfying, jealous relationship. On the other side, platonic relationships can greatly improve your life when they are at their greatest. Enjoying a platonic friendship and falling in love with someone are two very different things. If such feelings of love arise, you must be conscious of them and realize that acting on them will end your friendship.
Platonic relationships are important to our lives and it’s necessary to comprehend them. In this article, we will address what you should know about platonic relationships. Continue reading!
What exactly Is A Platonic Relationship?
The term “Platonic” literally means “without romance.” Your best friend, coworker, cousin, gym partner, or any other person you like can have a platonic relationship with you. The following are traits of a platonic relationship;
- Love
- Respect
- Admiration
- Honesty
- Loyalty
- Bonding over shared interests and beliefs
When there is trust, safety, and validation in a close relationship, we experience platonic love.
Signs Your Relationship Is Platonic
Various features distinguish a platonic relationship from other sorts of relationships. The following, including the absence of sexual attraction, typically characterizes a platonic relationship:
● Honesty
Both parties believe they can communicate their thoughts and feelings to the other with all truthfulness.
● Closeness
Both parties experience a sense of connection and compatibility with one another.
● Acceptance
These connections often have a relaxed, cozy vibe. Both individuals experience safety and personal freedom.
● Understanding
While platonic partners understand and respect each other’s personal space, they also have a bond. They don’t attempt to coerce others into doing or being anything they don’t want to.
Platonic connections are usually friendships. And while the absence of a romantic encounter characterizes this kind of relationship, this does not imply that the parties involved are not interested in one another or cannot begin to feel drawn to one another.
Benefits Of A platonic Relationship
A purely platonic relationship has no intimate or romantic advantages. But there are unquestionable benefits to this kind of connection, particularly in developing insight into the other sex. These are major advantages that having these connections could have for you:
1. There Is No Secret Purpose
Being able to hang out with someone who doesn’t have any ulterior motivations is a great sensation. No hopes of an erotic relationship, they merely appreciate your company. You may rely on each other for moral or emotional support because your relationship is strong.
You don’t think you owe each other a romantic relationship as appreciation for the assistance. You won’t experience jealousy or the threat of a breakdown in your love relationship.
2. Affect Your Health Positively
According to research, having people in your life who love and support you can have significant positive effects on your health. Physically, this kind of platonic love and support can reduce your risk of illness, lessen your likelihood of experiencing depression and anxiety, and improve your immunity.
Additionally, the people in your platonic support network can help you feel better. They accomplish this by hearing what you say, validating, and assisting you when in need.
3. You Can Be Who You Are
Everybody needs at least one buddy who loves them for who they are. You can tell them anything without worrying about judgment or being rejected. They pay attention, accept our opinions and choices, provide new viewpoints, and offer guidance when they see us veering off course.
Having a confidante to whom you can open up is healthy for your mental well-being. It is comparable to talk therapy, which has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety while boosting mood.
4. Less Stress
Your physical and mental health can suffer a lot of stress. Chronic or protracted stress can factor into illnesses like heart disease, digestive problems, hypertension, and lowered immunity. Additionally, it may contribute to mood disorders like anxiety or depression.
Strong platonic bonds with people outside one’s immediate family and romantic relationships have been found to aid stress management. Also, having good platonic friendships helps you feel less stressed.
5. There Is Mutual Openness
A true relationship based on openness and trust exists. You feel comfortable discussing personal topics with your friend that you might be reluctant to discuss with your partner. You can feel seen, heard, and validated in ways you might not feel with your intimate partner because of the strong link, openness, trust, and love that exists. Friendship can benefit both people’s mental health if all these criteria are addressed in a nonjudgmental setting.
How To Make A Platonic Relationship Work
Finding a platonic friendship can be challenging. When you have a solid platonic link, it’s crucial to maintain and advance that relationship. You can take the following actions to keep these connections strong:
1. Establish Healthy Boundaries
Healthy boundaries are necessary for every relationship to regulate how individuals interact. A boundary is a directive you provide to others that directs how they should interact with and treat you.
Drawing such imperceptible boundaries in a platonic relationship allows you to dictate how emotionally close you want your friend to become. Establish ground rules for communication, how you’ll greet one another, off-limits topics, and consideration for one another’s romantic partners.
2. Respect Each Other’s Privacy
How you build a relationship with a man or woman who isn’t your boyfriend or girlfriend depends on how observant you are. Avoid appearing nervous or needy to avoid giving the impression that you are dating. Additionally, the way you stand and how close you are must be platonic.
Respect other people’s personal space when you are out, and avoid spending time alone at each other’s homes. Socializing in private can trigger illicit urges or send an incorrect impression.
3. Avoid Touch and Physical Affection
For a strong tie between platonic friends, it’s vital to refrain from physical contact that is only appropriate in love relationships. This is because the physical contact and touching that occurs when embracing or holding hands, can lead to chemistry or intimacy.
If you decide to give each other a quick, gentle hug when you first meet, remember to do so. Avoid engulfing each other in protracted embraces to avoid misunderstandings such as strong feelings or interests.
4. Be Open With Your Emotions
It would help if you talked openly and honestly with your friend about why you want to stay friends only. Deep respect, adoration, or shared interests are frequently some justifications. At the beginning of your friendship, stating intentions will allow you to gauge whether everyone is on the same page.
It can be dangerous to keep the relationship going if one person exhibits sexual attraction. Managing physical chemistry can be challenging and impede progress when there is a looming possibility of intimacy. Address any sexual inclination or flirtations. You might also need to talk about controlling your emotions.
5. No dates
If you are only best friends, you shouldn’t go on dates, or do any romantic things people in a love relationship do. People in relationships or those looking to start one do these things. Spend time together at cafés and arcades, especially with your other friends if you are simply friends.
Keep your goals in mind. It shouldn’t even cross your mind to do something romantic as it is in no way intended to be romantic.
6. Never Flirt With A Friend
Although it may seem harmless, flirting can be very harmful. Don’t send any signals only to get some attention and feel good about yourself if you appreciate the friendship you two share. He might go out of fear that this is developing into something else or respond in kind.
The latter is acceptable, but only if you both believe that the connection has the potential to develop into something more; otherwise, you risk losing a friend.
7. Show Him To Your Family And Friends
By introducing him to your family and friends, you make it apparent that he is just your friend, who is almost like a brother and nothing more. This shows that you love him enough to share him with your loved ones. He’ll be seen more as a sibling than a potential love partner, which is how it should be.
Conclusion
Although platonic relationships differ from romantic ones, they are no less loving or significant. In actuality, platonic relationships can offer more devotion, respect, and support independent of a romantic partner.
In contrast to romantic love, platonic relationships typically involve fewer demands on appearance, expectations, and obligations. While sexual intimacy in platonic relationships is possible, parties should always establish limits and obtain consent before doing so.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are Platonic Relationships?
Platonic relationships are ones without intimacy or any sexual inclinations. This relationship can be between two opposite sex or the same gender who is always there for each other without any expectations.
Is It Possible To Fall In Love Platonically?
Yes. Deep attachment is a part of platonic love, yet there is no sexual or romantic attraction. It is feasible for individuals of either gender to continue their friendship without experiencing sexual attraction or stress. You may see some fundamental symptoms of love when you have platonic feelings for someone.
Is It Possible To Kiss In Platonic Relationship?
No, but it is possible to want physical intimacy with the other person without actually doing these things. Even though the desire is there, a relationship is platonic if there is no physical intimacy or sex involved.
References
- https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.insider.com/guides/health/sex-relationships/platonic-relationship%3famp
- https://www.happierhuman.com/platonic-relationship/
- https://www.stylecraze.com/articles/rules-of-platonic-friendship/
- https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-a-platonic-relationship-5185281#:~:text=A%20platonic%20relationship%20is%20one,name%20the%20term%20is%20derived.
