Breaking Stigmas: How Society views Relationship Wellness

By – Prabhat Maheshwari, Co-Founder and Director, Amocare

Love is in the air. But is it healthy? While love and connection remain the bedrock of human happiness, the interplay of individual well-being, societal expectations, and health challenges are creating complex barriers to relationship satisfaction, that many are even afraid to speak up about.  When passion meets pressure, the romance in your life takes unexpected twists. Unearthing the science behind what makes couples thrive, discover why your #HappyPlace might just need a health checkup.

Happy Alone, Happier Together: The Foundation of Individuality

Companionship is often confused with spending most of your time together. While some relationships may need it, others may see themselves ramming into a dead end of co-dependency.  Research indicates that couples who maintain strong personal identities and engage in fulfilling hobbies are more likely to sustain happy, healthy relationships.

According to Harvard researchers, the correlation between good relationships and physical health is surprisingly strong. Individuals with warm, close connections are statistically less likely to suffer from serious health conditions, suggesting that “social fitness” is as crucial as physical fitness.

Escaping the Illusion of Perfection: Reclaiming Pleasure Over Performance

Our culture is saturated with idealized portrayals of love and relationships. The focus on performance, often at the expense of genuine connection and pleasure, leads to unrealistic expectations. Additionally, instant gratification achieved from social media as well as dating app presents the illusion of infinite choices, planting the roots of irritability and infidelity in relationships.

This constant exposure to unattainable standards can erode self-esteem, pressurises even the healthiest of partnerships, taking away the space to be open about shortcomings. The data on erectile dysfunction (ED) is a stark reminder of the physical and psychological toll of performance pressure. By age 40, nearly 90% of men experience difficulties at least once, and this figure rises to over 50% experiencing mild to moderate difficulty by age 50.

Physical Health: The Unsung Hero of Intimacy

Sexual health is intrinsically linked to overall physical well-being. Hormonal imbalances, cardiovascular issues, and chronic stress can significantly impact libido and sexual performance. A study found that ED is present in more than 50% of men with a history of CVD (cardiovascular disease).

Women who experience sexual performance anxiety are more likely to report issues such as lack of vaginal lubrication, low arousal, low desire, and lack of satisfaction. Performance anxiety has been identified as a unique predictor of sexual dysfunction among women. Cognitive distraction, including negative sexual thoughts and performance anxiety, can interfere with sexual function, for both men and women.

The quality and quantity of each hormone in the body can be improved with effective dietary supplementation, like Vitamin D. This can help manage essential hormones like serotonin, which plays a major role in sustaining happiness in a relationship.

Breaking Free from Cultural Policing

Cultural and religious benchmarks of civility dictate acceptable behaviours. that can often impact personal desires. In South Asia, conservative attitudes towards sexuality have resulted in alarming rates of unplanned pregnancies and unsafe abortions. 14% of pregnancies among Indian women under 20 are unplanned, and a staggering 50% of maternal deaths in this age group are due to unsafe abortions.

Cultural and religious policing has long stifled sexual and reproductive rights, leading to significant adverse health outcomes. This pervasive issue highlights the urgent need for comprehensive sex education and a shift in societal attitudes toward sexual health and rights. The solution lies in implementing active, revised sex education programs that prioritize safety, consent, and reproductive rights, while fostering a culture of acceptance and open dialogue.

Summing Up

Cultivating a happy place and lasting love story is not just about candlelit dinners and romantic getaways. It's about sweating it out at the gym, conquering personal demons, having a serious chat about each other’s wants, and maintaining a balance of nutrition. Balancing individual desires with shared dreams, navigating the minefield of societal expectations, and keeping the spark alive requires a delicate touch, so pace your relationship like a marathon, not a sprint.