What is Platonic Relationship? Types, Signs, Benefits

When we use the term “relationship,” then people usually assume it in terms of romantic relationships. There are various types of relationships and all of them have their own significance like relationships with siblings, parents, neighbors, online friends, real-life friendships, classmates, and the platonic connection is among one of them. Today, we’ll discuss what is platonic relationship; its types, signs, how to develop & maintain, benefits, and potential challenges in detail.

What does Platonic Relationship Mean?

A platonic relationship is a form of close connection with some people but they don’t share physical intimacy or sexual relationship with each other. Plato, a Greek philosopher first floated the idea and the term is on its name. He firmly believed that it’s such a love relationship that makes people reach their divine ideal status. In simple modern words, we can say that becoming a divine ideal means developing a close friendship.

The antonym of platonic relationships is a romantic and sexual relationship. The term is applicable and you can say, same-sex friends or opposite-sex friends.

Types of Platonic Relationship 

Some new terms have come to existence synonymous with platonic relationships, and they’re as follows;

Work Spouse

As the name implies, it’s a type of non-physically intimate connection that develops among co-workers and colleagues. Sometimes, the role and connections among two work partners are similar to the working spouse.

Womance

It’s a non-romantic, non-physically intimate, and non-sexual type of relationship between two female friends.

Bromance

It’s a deeply non-romantic, non-sexual, affectionate, and close type of relationship between two male friends.

Signs of Platonic Relationship 

Many traits that differentiate the platonic relationship with other types of relationships, and they’re as follows;

Understanding

 When people have a P relationship, then they have a very deep understanding of acknowledging each other’s personal space and respecting the boundaries. They don’t compel each other into doing something that the other partner is not or don’t want.

Acceptance

It’s a very comfortable, simple, and easy type of relationship, where both partners feel free and safe to do and say whatever they like. It’s like the company of themselves.

Honesty

It’s such a relationship where both partners could openly share their views, thoughts, and ideas whatever they truly feel.

Closeness

The relationship is such a close bond where both partners could feel the connection with each other, and they have a lot of things in common

People usually characterize this relationship as a friendship. The thing that differentiates this relationship is having no sexual relationship. However, it doesn’t mean that the partners don’t feel the attraction towards each other, or develop attraction later.

How to Develop & Maintain Platonic Relationship 

Studies have shown that platonic relationships or social support groups play a significant role in the psychological and mental well-being of a person. Therefore, it’s important to develop friendships, social connections, and good relations within the family. Some of the main ways to develop P relations are as follows;

• Volunteer yourself for social events and causes that you care about in the local community
• Join online events and seminars
• Participate in classes and workshops on such topics that you like
• Visit social networking groups where you get an opportunity to meet different types of people

Whether it’s a personal or professional connection, where both partners enjoy each others’ ideas and company. They contain and suppress their sexual desires in order to keep things clear. However, when you involve sexuality in the relationship, then it jeopardizes the boundaries. That’s why it’s significant to make the relation non-romantic and enjoy the beauty of the P connection.

Benefits of Platonic Relationship 

Some of the main benefits of platonic relations on your health and life are as follows;

High Resilience

If you have such a connection with someone, then it makes you strong and resilient towards facing the challenges of life. It helps you to go face difficult storms like health issues, struggles in the workplace, family problems, and issues in the romantic life.

Studies have shown that the most important factor in recovering from the traumatic experience is the company of a close friend.

Low-stress level

Stress could strongly impact your mental and physical health. If it persists over time, then it could decrease the immunity level, digestive issues, higher blood pressure, and cardiac disease. If you have a friend outside of your close relations and family, then s/he would help you face these challenges and lower the stress level.

Love and support

Research studies have shown that having a close friendship and support has a great impact on your life and health. Such support helps you fight against depression and anxiety, listens to your side of the story whatever you have to say, and offers you validation.

Better Sleep

When you have a lower stress level and feel fresh, then you can easily fall into sleep and wake up early in the morning. In order to reduce the tension, you should surround yourself in the company of supportive people.

Healthy Heart

Many studies have shown that if you have established happy and joyful relationships with friends and family members, then it lowers the chances of cardiovascular disease. Lower stress levels and happy friendships boost your health and fitness in terms of blood pressure.

Happiness

Speaking of happiness, it offers you a fight against loneliness and solitude. When you have feelings of belongingness, then it makes you feel happy and joyful.

Life expectancy

Studies have shown that people tend to live longer than have a better support network and happy friends’ circles and relationships. It’s because factors lower the stress level and the possibility of stress, and longer life ultimately.

Potential Challenges to Platonic Relationship 

When we talk about P relations, then it is completely different from unrequited love. Unrequited love is a type of relationship where one partner has sexual feelings and the other doesn’t share the same feelings. On the other hand, the true P relation comprises of sharing equal feelings and emotions.

It doesn’t mean that the P partners can’t develop romantic feelings and emotions. If they develop physical intimacy, then it would convert from P to a romantic relationship. However, the friendship would finish, if they break up.

If partners want to maintain P relations, then they should establish ground rules and set some boundaries. Like how much they should spend together, limit on physical contact, or the contact level.

Conclusion: What is Platonic Relationship? Types, Signs, Benefits 

After an in-depth study of what is platonic relationship; its types, signs, benefits, and challenges; we’ve realized that the P friendship is very important for our mental and physical health. If you observe signs of P connection with someone, then develop the ground, set boundaries, and keep working on the relation.