Relationship and Love In The Time of Screens:7 Surprising Tips

Introduction

You might have heard people say that ‘Love has no boundaries or distance.’ In today’s digital age, that has become truer than ever. In the older days, people had to send letters to their loved ones across the world so that they could know of their well-being and inform them of any issues. After that, they had to wait for days to get a response. Today, that has changed. We are all a call and text away. Even then, managing relationships has become a problem. In this article, let’s find out what a healthy relationship looks like and what you can do to keep your relationship going using technology.

“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength while loving someone deeply gives you courage.” – Lao-Tzu  [1]

What Is A Relationship?

We all have a lot of relationships around us, including friends, family members, colleagues, and even pets. A relationship is a connection, association, or bonding between two or more living beings [2].

When you say that you have a relationship with someone, I’m sure you say that because there’s an emotional bond, some shared experiences, trust, love, etc. On the basis of the level of these emotions toward a person, you can categorize which type of relationship you have with a person.

What Are The Different Types Of Relationships?

As I said, depending upon the level of a particular emotion-intimacy, love, commitment- you have for a person, you can put them in a specific type of relationship [3]:

1. Romantic Relationships: If you have a person around you who you are attracted to, share romantic feelings with, and are close and intimate toward them, then you are in a romantic relationship with them. For example, Monica and Chandler from the show FRIENDS.
2. Platonic Relationships: When you have a strong bond with a person where there is respect and care and is based on mutual interests, values, or experiences, then that relationship is called a platonic relationship. These people could be your friends and even those who are like family to you. For example, Chandler and Joey were such close friends that they were practically like a family.
3. Familial Relationships: There are people whom we have a bond with by birth and by blood. Those people are our family members, such as parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. For example, Monica and Ross were siblings and, hence, a family.
4. Professional Relationships: There are many people we meet when we start working. These people are our colleagues, co-workers, supervisors, etc., in a workplace or business setting. Because this relationship is based on work, they are our professional relationships. For example, Gunther and Rachel while she was working in the coffeehouse as a waitress.
5. Casual Relationships: There can be some people we have in our lives temporarily, possibly just for sexual purposes. We have a casual relationship with such people because there is not much of an emotional investment.
6. Online Relationships: With today’s digital age and social media platforms, we can interact with a lot of people globally. Such interactions can lead to having an online relationship with such people. Facebook, Instagram, etc., are great platforms to meet someone new today. For example, Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas met on Instagram and then eventually got married.
7. Long-Distance Relationships: When both partners in a romantic relationship are in two different locations, whether 100 miles away or on a different continent altogether, that relationship is known as a Long-Distance Relationship. For example, Monica and Chandler were in a long-distance relationship for four days when Monica was in New York, and Chandler was in Tulsa.
8. Open Relationships: Sometimes, partners in a romantic relationship agree to have casual or romantic relationships with other people as well while they are still together. Such relationships are called open relationships. For example, the actor Will Smith and his wife are in an open marriage.

What Are The Benefits Of Having A Good & Healthy Relationship?

The fact that a relationship is called ‘good and healthy’ means that there are a lot of benefits it can have. From a romantic perspective, here’s what to look out for [4]:

                              

1. Emotional Support: When you are in a healthy relationship, you and your partner will be willing to support each other emotionally and face challenges together. That way, you are able to show that you are there for each other, and that helps in taking care of your mental and emotional health.
2. Increased Happiness: It is said that a heavy relationship can bring happiness to your life. Imagine a relationship where you and your partner can create experiences and memories and build a life together. Such a relationship can bring truckloads of happiness and joy to your life.
3. Improved Communication Skills: When you and your partner are able to talk freely about your thoughts and emotions, your communication skills increase, not just between you and your partner but you and the outside world as well.
4. Enhanced Sense of Security: When you and your partner are ready to give a 100% commitment toward each other, there will automatically be a sense of security. You can both know that you can rely on each other.
5. Improved Physical Health: A healthy relationship can help you to remain physically and mentally strong and healthy. In fact, when you and your partner are in a healthy relationship, you can lower your levels of stress, anxiety, chronic illnesses, etc.
6. Increased Personal Growth: When you are in a healthy relationship, you and your partner can give each other space to grow personally and together as a couple. Not only can you both learn from each other, you can even try new things together.

Read more about- Love addiction.

What Is The Importance Of Communication In A Relationship?

Can you imagine a relationship where you couldn’t talk or share your feelings? Would you consider such a relationship healthy? No, right?

Communication is the most important way for people to connect. Through communication, you and the people around you can share your thoughts and feelings and build trust and understanding.

One wonderful thing that good and strong communication can give you and your partner is that you both will be able to share needs and concerns respectfully and without any fear of judgment. Even though there might be challenges coming your way, you and your partner will be able to deal with them and avoid conflicts altogether. That way, you can further enhance your sense of emotional closeness and trust [6].

Must Read-Importance of Trust in a Romantic Relationship

What Are The Tips for Building and Maintaining a Healthy Relationship in This Digital Age?

Building and maintaining healthy relationships can be tough and might require a lot of work- on yourself and as a couple. But in this digital age, here are a few things you can take care of it [7]:

1. Set Boundaries for Technology Use: A lot of times, couples are there in the same room, but both are glued to their phones or other devices. I would suggest that, if you are that sort of couple, set a time limit on your social media, phones, etc., usage. That way, these devices would not come between you both. However, if you are in a long-distance relationship, make sure that you give each other your 100% and are not distracted by other applications on your devices.
2. Prioritize Face-to-Face Communication: Many couples keep a date night in the week so that, at least for that night, they can talk to each other face-to-face. In fact, otherwise also, I would suggest keeping at least 10-15 minutes of your time in the day to have an in-person conversation. Doing that can help you enhance your intimacy and connection.
3. Practice Active Listening: When you and your partner are together, be there with them. Try giving your 100% attention to them while they talk. That way, even if you are talking digitally, both of you will feel heard and respected. It can help bring out feelings of empathy and understanding in both of you.
4. Avoid Oversharing on Social Media: With everyone using social media to portray a very different life, you might end up crossing your partner’s boundaries. So, don’t go sharing every detail of your relationship with the world. Some things are better left private.
5. Trust and Transparency: Even if you are talking and communicating with your partner digitally, you should be honest and open with each other. Hiding any details will only put a question mark on your love and trust for each other.
6. Celebrate Special Moments: With video call platforms so easily available in today’s world, make 100% use of them. Not just for the bad news but also to celebrate special moments with each other. You can even send meaningful text messages to each other to show that you both value each other.
7. Seek Professional Help if Needed: If worse comes to worst and you are unable to manage the challenges of building a healthy relationship in the digital age, seek help from a professional therapist or counselor. You don’t have to manage everything on your own. Take help from mental health professionals who know how to deal with such situations. United We Care is one such platform.

Conclusion

As easy as it has become to stay in touch with people in this digital age, there are certain challenges also that can come up for couples to build and maintain healthy relationships. There can be communication barriers between you and your partner because you both might not be in the same place. But, with trust and patience, everything is easily manageable. If you and your partner are honestly willing to make things work, no challenge can break you both apart. The key is to stay connected through regular communication and be honest and transparent with each other. So, give it your 100% but remember to be patient.

If you are going through any relationship issues, consult our expert counselors and explore content at United We Care! At United We Care, a team of professionals and mental health experts will guide you with the best methods for your well-being.

References

[1] “A quote by Lao Tzu.” https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/2279-being-deeply-loved-by-someone-gives-you-strength-while-loving

[2] “6 Basic Types Of Romantic Relationships & How To Define Yours | mindbodygreen,” 6 Basic Types Of Romantic Relationships & How To Define Yours | mindbodygreen. https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/types-of-relationships

[3] “6 Different Types of Relationships You May Find Yourself In,” Verywell Mind, Sep. 21, 2022. https://www.verywellmind.com/6-types-of-relationships-and-their-effect-on-your-life-5209431

[4] N. Medicine, “5 Benefits of Healthy Relationships,” Northwestern Medicine, Sep. 01, 2021. https://www.nm.org/healthbeat/healthy-tips/5-benefits-of-healthy-relationships

[5] “Characteristics of Healthy & Unhealthy Relationships | Youth.gov,” Characteristics of Healthy & Unhealthy Relationships | Youth.gov. https://youth.gov/youth-topics/teen-dating-violence/characteristics#:~:text=Respect%20for%20both%20oneself%20and,sexually%2C%20and%2For%20emotionally.

[6] “Relationships and communication,” Relationships and communication – Better Health Channel. http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/relationships-and-communication

[7] “How to Build and Maintain Healthy Relationships in the Digital Age? | Times of Bennett,” Times of Bennett. http://www.timesofbennett.com/blogs/how-to-build-and-maintain-healthy-relationships-in-the-digital-age/articleshow/99057970.cms