Why Platonic Love Is So Important: National Friendship Day
Table of Contents
National Friendship Day, which is celebrated on July 30th, is a special day that reminds us of the significance of friendships and the connections we share with the people in our lives.
While romantic relationships often take centre stage in our lives, it’s important that you don’t overlook the essential role that platonic friendships play too.
Platonic love refers to a deep and meaningful affection that is non-romantic and plays a vital role in shaping our emotional well-being. These types of connections hold significance in our lives in many ways.
In this guide, we’ll be exploring what platonic love is and why it’s so important so carry on reading!
What Is Platonic Love?
The term platonic love has been around for over 500 years and was first introduced by the ancient Greek philosopher Plato, who theorised the idea that love goes far beyond physical attraction.
This type of love represents a profound and unconditional affection which is usually between friends and family members, but it can be any relationship where there is no romantic involvement.
Platonic relationships are all about emotional intimacy, mutual trust, and a genuine concern for the other person’s well-being.
It’s the kind of love which makes you feel like you’ve found a soulmate in your best friend and is so important!
Why Is Platonic Love Important?
Chances are you will have an understanding of what platonic love is, but you may not fully grasp the significance of having relationships like this.
That’s where we come in, we’re here to spill the beans on why platonic relationships are so important in life, and the benefits they have on our wellbeing.
Don’t stop there, carry on reading to find out why platonic love is crucial in your life!
1. Emotional Support and Understanding
Platonic friendships and connections are important as they provide us with a safe space where we can express our thoughts, feelings, and simply be vulnerable without judgement.
True friends can provide us with emotional support during difficult times, empathise with our struggles, and celebrate our successes, without the pressure of romance.
Romantic relationships come and go, but friendships and platonic connections are different as they’re always going to stand by you, through the ups, and the downs.
Platonic love also allows us to be our unfiltered selves as there’s no need to put up a front or pretend to be someone we’re not, our friends accept us for who we are!
2. Improve Mental Health
Platonic relationships play a significant role in our lives and can do wonders for our mental health and our personal growth.
In a world that can sometimes be overwhelming, especially as a student, having friends by our side makes the journey feel less lonely, and can reduce feelings of anxiety and stress.
When we’re surrounded by people who genuinely care about us, we feel better prepared to face whatever life throws at us, and sometimes, they’ll be in the same boat as us!
Plenty of studies have shown that strong friendships can really boost our mental and emotional resilience.
3. Boost Physical Health
When you have genuine, platonic friendships and connections with others, not only does this benefit your mental health but your physical health too.
The emotional support you get from these types of relationships can lower stress levels , improve heart health and even boost our immune systems.
Many studies highlight that those with strong social connections have a reduced risk of many significant health problems, like depression and heart disease.
Having positive interactions with our friends can also help us to feel calmer and improve sleep quality.
Platonic friendships can even help us to release happy hormones. What’s better than having a laugh with your pals and sharing hilarious inside jokes? It’s the best!
4. Creates a Sense of Belonging
Having friends who care about us for who we are and not just because they’re romantically interested in us really helps to create a sense of belonging.
These friendships can provide a foundation for personal growth, mutual respect, and emotional well-being, as well as remind you that you’re not alone during the exciting journey that is student life.
So, make sure to embrace those meaningful friendships in your life and cherish the bond of platonic love!
5. Share Experiences Together
Making memories that last a lifetime and sharing experiences with your friends is one of the most beautiful things in life, don’t you agree?
Whether it’s grabbing some lunch, going for a coffee, having a game night, going on trips away, or simply sharing just having a chat, life is simply so much better when you have friends by your side.
Be sure to reach out to your friends and let them know how much they mean to you, and create more memories together!
6. Diverse Perspectives
Platonic love celebrates diversity and individuality as each friend or connection brings a special touch to our life.
Take a moment to think about each of your friends, they all have their unique experiences, personality, background and perspectives.
This is because we are all drawn to friends who have unique qualities which complement our own, that’s the beauty of platonic love.
Whilst at university and living in student accommodation, you’ll meet students from all walks of life, see the world through different perspectives and learn about different cultures.
This will help you to gain valuable insights that you may have never considered otherwise as well as give you inspiration in your own life!
Hopefully now you know what exactly platonic love is, and why it’s so significant thanks to our helpful guide.
Whilst romantic relationships are significant in our lives, platonic friendships really bring something different to the table and are so important for a variety of different reasons.
Now, go ahead and celebrate your friends and family, spread the love, and let them know how important they are to you!
If you need help with packing for university for the next academic year, you should check out our ultimate first year checklist.
