Meaningful romantic relationships can be very important to a person’s health and well-being. Married people in loving, stable relationships tend to live longer and enjoy better health overall. Relationships can be great for mental health because they nurture people and allow them to be themselves and grow. A few studies have shown single people tend to show higher levels of loneliness, anxiety and depression.

When someone experiences a lack of romantic relationships in their life it can mean that they are missing out on some of the healthy, stress reducing aspects of having a partner. People who aren’t in good romantic relationships, especially those in poor relationships are more likely to suffer from depression and loneliness. Those who struggle with finding and maintaining romantic relationships may have underlying problems that they need to address.

People naturally seek out social or romantic relationships because they make us happier and contribute joy to our lives. We have a deep need for touch, affection and connection with other people on an intimate level. Those that avoid romantic relationships for fear of being hurt may be harming their mental health even more in the long run.

People who are not in romantic relationships will benefit from finding close social connections to provide them with emotional support. In the end the most important factor is having quality relationships with others including family, friends and romantic partners. People need to feel connected in order to manage their stress effectively and prevent feelings of loneliness.

Close attachments are necessary in order for us to have positive interactions that boost our mental health. Being in a relationship with too much conflict or being too isolated can lead to depression and other mental health problems. Your close relationships don’t always need to be romantic but any kind of good quality connection can have a beneficial impact on your emotional life.