How love, friends and a healthy sex life support mental health

February 14, 2022

Swedish Wellness & Lifestyle Team

[4 MIN READ]

Q: When most people think of mental health, they first think of therapy, meditation and perhaps medication. Why is it important to consider how healthy relationships affect mental health?

A: Good relationships, both friendships and romantic relationships act as a buffer during stressful times. When we’re alone, it’s easy to get stuck in our own heads, thinking that things are better or worse than they really are. Loving relationships can provide that reality check that “Yes, things are really tough right now” and/or “No, it’s not the end of the world.” Good relationships can also provide a fun distraction from us repeating the same worries over and over.

Q: What does a healthy relationship look like?

A: A healthy relationship is a two-way street, with positive emotions and support going both ways. There are times when one person needs more help than the other, but the helper role should flip back and forth.

In healthy relationships, people feel like they can voice their frustrations or concerns about the relationship without being dismissed or put down. Aggression and violence do not have any place in a healthy relationship.

Q: Do romantic love and platonic love affect mental health in different ways?

A: Yes, different types of love can create different brain reactions that affect us physically and emotionally. With romantic love, the infatuation stage is almost like being on a drug. People feel a rush of rewarding neurotransmitters when they see their new partner, so they can almost become obsessed about when they will see them next. This reaction calms down over time. Most successful long-term romantic relationships are supported by a healthy dose of platonic love too, which we associate with friendship.

Friendships can be more durable because there isn’t the expectation that we will continue to feel a specific type of love towards our friends long-term. Also, there are fewer cultural expectations placed on friendships, making them more flexible.

Friends can connect every day or once a year. They can talk about their deepest emotions or just about baseball. Friends often tolerate differences that they may not accept with a romantic partner. Friendships can also reinforce our values and ideals. Different types of friends and different types of friendships can make life richer.

Q: Why is Valentine’s Day a good day to celebrate BOTH types of love?

A: Both types of love are beautiful. These relationships support us and can bring out the best in us. Having someone to share in life’s successes can make them sweeter. Having someone to share the low times can make them more bearable. Romantic love can spin us to euphoric heights, and platonic friendships can be a steady ship on the sea.

Q: What about sex? How does a healthy sex life (with a partner and without) support mental health?

A: When someone is anxious, their fight-flight-freeze system is activated. They are physically on “high alert.” But enjoying sexual activity requires us to relax, which can decrease that physical feeling of anxiety. Sexual activity also allows us to connect with ourselves and others in an intimate and vulnerable way. It affirms that we deserve to give and receive pleasure, which challenges depressing thoughts.

Q: Any advice for people on developing and sustaining healthy relationships – especially during a pandemic?

A: When starting a new relationship, whether a friendship or a romance, make the choice to take the pressure off. Just spend a little time together and see how you feel. If you feel good and like spending time with someone, spend more time with them. If you don’t like them or how you feel when you are with them, then move on.

With long-term romantic relationships, I’m a proponent of regular date nights. It’s easy to let life fall into a routine that doesn’t include time for kindling your romantic feelings or intimacy.

For any long-term relationship, I’m also a fan of maintaining some level of politeness. Just because you can take someone for granted, doesn’t mean you should. Continue to show gratitude by saying, “thank you.” Continue to respect the other person’s time by keeping your plans and being on time. Show little kindnesses like holding the door or giving a compliment. Keep those positive feelings going back and forth.

I don’t think that the advice around starting or maintaining relationships is different in spirit because of the pandemic, but how we connect may look different. We may have first dates and friend meetups over video chat instead of at a restaurant. We may limit the size of our get-togethers or wear high-quality filtration masks (N-95 or equivalent) around people who are not in our “bubble.”

Q: What else should people know about love and mental health?

A: Remember to give yourself the same love and compassion that you give to your loved ones. People will say awful things to themselves, judge themselves harshly or have unrealistic expectations for themselves that they would never put on a friend or lover. Love yourself. Be your best friend too.

Find a doctor

If you have questions about your mental health, contact the behavioral health and wellbeing department at Swedish. We can accommodate both in-person and virtual visits.

Whether you require an in-person visit or want to consult a doctor virtually, you have options. Swedish Virtual Care connects you face-to-face with a nurse practitioner who can review your symptoms, provide instruction and follow up as needed. If you need to find a doctor, you can use our provider directory.

Join our Patient and Family Advisory Council.