Times Of Swaziland: THE SIGNIFICANCE OF MENTAL HEALTH IN RELATIONSHIPS

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF MENTAL HEALTH IN RELATIONSHIPS
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Runsford Laryea on 26/11/2024 07:56:00


RELATIONSHIPS of the emotional kind are as old as time itself and are (and
probably will always be) a cornerstone of the continued existence of mankind.
Even today, relationships are still as prevalent and socially significant as
ever, needless to say, however, advancements in time and other modern
innovations mean they (relationships) have become ever more slightly complicated
than they were rewind 20 or 30 years ago.
Shifts in motives and motivations for engaging in relationships nowadays have
themselves shifted perhaps. The meaning and need for a relationship is slowly
becoming substituted for career pursuits for instance, or quite simply,
individuals have become fearful of how emotionally toxic their ‘dating pool’
has become, for instance. Regardless, a healthy number of people still hold a
firm belief in the existence of ‘true love’ and are still willing
participants in pursuing this end. As we would all probably agree, ‘thee
perfect’ relationship is fiction and in real life, it is about two people who
join emotional forces for the purposes of nurturing, comforting, reassuring and
maintaining a warm psychoemotional climate and sharing their love.
Without a doubt, there are numerous variations of this, however, we all agree
there are universal features that should at least be present for it to be
considered fit for purpose. Psychologically, relationships are supposed to boost
you and your partners’ self-esteem, give you (and your partner)
non-judgemental ground for both to share anything, while also granting you the
security of knowing you have someone you can share those good news with, before
anyone else, for instance.
Unforgiving
It does, however, present as unfortunate how unforgiving the relationship scene
has been over the last couple of decades, on account of the steady emergence of
crimes and violence coming out of relationships nowadays. Even besides that, the
rawness in disregard for another’s feelings has become too obvious considering
some of the things that people do to their partners, particularly emotionally.
It really does make one reconsider their willingness of finding a partner and
actually trying to form an emotional partnership. Inasmuch as we consider being
in a relationship an emotional investment, the fact that it is more a
psychological investment is one that is often shelved.
Most times, our physical infatuation with our (potential) partner can often be
misleading in that it potentially clouds your judgement of the kind of person
they really are. Therefore, it makes it that more difficult to spot emotional
toxicity and psychological ‘danger’ you may be at risk of. This is why many
people find themselves staying longer in relationships they really should not be
and exposing themselves to mental ill-health, all in the name of ‘love’. Of
course, they may have their reasons for that - financial dependence, they may
have ‘nowhere else to go’ or general fear of being alone. However, it is
still very saddening to witness how some individuals would opt to throw their
own mental health in the ‘fire’.
Conscious
It is important for one to always be fully conscious of their mental and
psychological state when in relationships, in order to be able to recognise the
detrimental bits and pieces whenever they start to show out. Feeling
unappreciated, under-loved and belittled are some of the common negative traits
that many people in relationships complain about and all can be equally as
damaging to either partner. While the main aim is share feelings and recognise
emotions, it is equivalently as significant to have a way or methods of
communicating those feelings whether good or bad. As difficult as it is to
achieve, a smoothly functioning communication channel in a relationship ‘works
like a charm’ and it is only from this base that smoothly-functioning can
emerge. Send comments to runsford0505@gmail.com