The Different Types Of Relationships And How They Affect Our Lives

When we think of relationships, it can be easy to think about a one-size falling in love with our soulmate relationship. While that might be the case for some people, the same can't be said for everyone. In fact, there are several different types of relationships that can come in and out of our lives at various points.

The different types of relationships and how they affect our lives can really have a big impact on the type of people we turn out to be. They can also shape how we feel about the world and really bring out the best in us if we let them and know what we're looking for.

Platonic relationships are those felt between friends and loved ones

Relationships are broken down into several different categories, with the most common usually coming in the form of platonic relationships. These are the ones between our friends and loved ones, with no romance involved at all. These relationships are mainly formed on honesty, support, care, acceptance, and understanding, as we often find ourselves wanting to spend a lot of time with someone without taking things to the next level. Platonic relationships are an essential part of life, especially as they can reduce the chance of developing depression, anxiety, and certain illnesses.

Romantic relationships are relationships between partners

Romantic relationships often come with the same building blocks as platonic relationships, but this time, things are taken to a new level. While they come in varying levels, romantic relationships usually involve feelings of commitment, intimacy, and infatuation that see our brains release certain neurotransmitters that aren't found in other relationships. As time goes on, our bodies often start to lessen the intensity that we feel these emotions. Still, the levels of understanding and intimacy tend to grow even deeper.

Casual relationships involve dating without the feelings

Ever had a relationship that comes with all the benefits of dating someone without the commitment? You might have been enjoying a casual relationship. These are ones that often see people get emotionally and physically close without putting labels on things or expecting someone to remain loyal, but the meaning differs between people. Casual relationships are more common than many realize, and so long as everyone is clear and consents to them, they can be a good way for everyone to get what they need.

Codependent relationships are dysfunctional and imbalanced

When someone relies on someone more than the other person, it's a codependent relationship. These are ones that come with an imbalance and usually see someone rely on another entirely for their mental, physical, and emotional needs. Some signs that someone might be in a codependent relationship include feeling the need to ask permission for things, doing things to make the other person happy, losing their sense of identity, and feeling like a giver while the other person is the taker. These can have severe impacts on our lives if things grow out of control.

Open relationships are ones where people have multiple partners

While it might be similar to other relationships, an open relationship is a thing in its own right. These are the ones where people agree to be intimate and close to other people, even though they are in a relationship with one person. There can often be different rules and limitations approved by both partners, with research suggesting as many as 22% of adults will be in an open relationship at some point. These kinds of relationships can have plenty of benefits, such as allowing someone to feel free, but they can also open the doors for emotional pain and jealousy if people aren't on the same page.

Toxic relationships are ones that harm someone's mental, emotional, or physical state

A toxic relationship is one that can do a lot of harm to people, including those outside of the relationship. It doesn't just mean someone going through one type of harm either, with toxic relationships affecting someone's mental, emotional, and physical state. There are plenty of signs that someone could be in a toxic relationship, and they're not just limited to those in romantic relationships. Being in a toxic relationship of any kind can have several effects on a person's mental and physical health and can often lead people to feel misunderstood or lonely, especially if they don't receive help to leave.

The different types of relationships all have their own effects on our lives. With so many people out there in the world, there's a good chance we'll cross paths with plenty of different characters, each adding to the types of relationships we get to experience throughout the years.