Written by: Lin Chiang
Artwork by: Samuel Lee
Scrolling through different social media platforms, you may have fallen into the enchantments of being in a relationship; however, how does being in a relationship actually affect your mental health? Are there detriments brought along with the merits? The media sometimes creates a false reality for their viewers, especially teenagers, frequently overshadowing the disadvantages with the benefits, therefore, it is pivotal to acknowledge the various types of effects.
To start off with the benefits, relationships are known to increase one’s well-being both physically and psychologically. As explained by Better Health Channel, a reputable website that provides medical information, committing to a “trusting and cooperative” relationship can “lower rates of anxiety and depression, higher self-esteem, greater empathy, strengthen your immune system, help you recover from disease, and may even lengthen your life.” These are just a few examples of how relationships have the ability to advantage individuals in multiple aspects, and there are countless stories of people who have changed for the better after being in a relationship. In fact, you may have heard about the doubtful myth of how love, is the strongest drug for patients. Surprisingly, this myth is not entirely false, as researchers from Stanford University School of Medicine's study convey “A passionate, all-consuming relationship may work just as well as medication at easing chronic pain” and “intense feelings of love activate the same areas of the brain as painkillers”. Love cannot replace drugs as the primary source of treatment; however, love can ease pain and work as a method of pain relief to a certain extent.
On the other hand, Live Science, a science website that presents various sorts of information, reveals, “A difficult and strained relationship perhaps unsurprisingly has the opposite effect. Negative behaviors, such as hostility and criticism, during conflicts in relationships, have been linked to negative impacts on mental health.” Committing to a relationship means accepting someone else into your life, and letting them into certain aspects of your life. Therefore, since there are more concerns to look after, researchers from the Annals of Behavioral Medicine found “those with more marital concerns reported greater stress throughout the day, had higher blood pressure in the middle of the workday and higher morning cortisol levels. These factors can, over time, combine to increase the risk of obesity, diabetes, depression, heart attack, and stroke.” Furthermore, sometimes, engaging in a relationship can manipulate and gaslight you to change your true self, which holds obstructive outcomes in the long term. It is important to acknowledge these results and always prioritize yourself and your health.
In all, depending on the relationship, it can either be the greatest gift, or the most besetting burden to your life. It is essential to make choices that are most adequate in aiding you to become a better version of yourself.
Works Cited
“About the Better Health Channel.” About the Better Health Channel - Better Health Channel, https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/about/about-us.
“Strong Relationships, Strong Health.” Strong Relationships, Strong Health - Better Health Channel, https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/Strong-relationships-strong-health.
Tse, Iris. “5 Ways Relationships Are Bad for Your Health.” LiveScience, Purch, 30 May 2013, https://www.livescience.com/35469-5-ways-relationships-are-bad-for-your-health.html.
University of Nevada, Reno. “What Are the Effects of Stress on a Relationship?” University of Nevada, Reno, University of Nevada, Reno, 13 Nov. 2018, https://www.unr.edu/nevada-today/news/2018/atp-relationship-stress#:~:text=Stress%20is%20common%20in%20relationships,or%20needs%2C%20or%20feeling%20neglected.
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