How to Nurture Eros Love in Your Relationships

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsIntroduction to Eros LoveThe Romantic, Sensual Form of LoveCharacteristics of Eros LoveReal-life Examples of Eros LoveImpact of Eros Love on RelationshipsPractical Tips for Fostering Eros LoveKeep in Mind

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Introduction to Eros Love

The Romantic, Sensual Form of Love

Characteristics of Eros Love

Real-life Examples of Eros Love

Impact of Eros Love on Relationships

Practical Tips for Fostering Eros Love

Keep in Mind

Close

This article will seek to discuss the role of eros love within relationships, explore its characteristics and real-life examples, as well as its impact and practical tips for fostering it.

Introduction to Eros Love

In Ancient Greek philosophy, love was attributed and categorized into four main, distinct types —storge,philia,agape, and eros. Unlike in modern times, when the concept of “love” is used to embody a multitude of meanings, each of these four main categories is a pillar of what constitutes love.

Early understandings of eros love, specifically, generally likened it to a kind of madness ortheia mania(madness from the gods).However, following the emergence of Plotinus (204–270 CE) and other Neoplatonist philosophers, it began to be described as “the single force” that motivated all life and was the key to creation and development.

Thus, eros was also personified within Greek mythology as the God of love and, in early legends, the firstborn light, responsible for the “fertile and creative coming into being and ordering of all things in the cosmos.”

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“It is the type of love that ignites sparks between individuals, drawing them together in a whirlwind of emotions and sensuality,” says Dr. Sanam Hafeez, NYC Neuropsychologist and Director ofComprehend the Mind. Eros,therefore,refers explicitly to a romantic, sensual, and passionate type of love — and it is from which the term erotic is derived.

In contrast, storge refers to familial love (such as that of a parent), philia describes the love garnered fromfriendship, andagape to unconditional or selfless love (traditionally to God).

—DR. SANAM HAFEEZ, NYC NEUROPSYCHOLOGIST AND DIRECTOR OF COMPREHEND THE MIND

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Characteristics of Eros Love

In addition to being described as pertaining to intense physical and emotional attraction, eros love is also based on mutual appreciation, respect, and understanding. “It seeks to fulfill all aspects of the relationship: physically, emotionally, and spiritually,” says Bayu Prihandito, certified psychology consultant, life coach, and Founder atLife Architekture.

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Real-life Examples of Eros Love

Many examples can be given to show the unpredictability, surprise, and spontaneity of eros love. “You may meet someone unexpectedly, let’s say at a bookstore, and as random as it is, it leads to hours of conversation, flowing naturally, which eventually turns into a deep relationship,” says Prihandito.

In addition to these, Hafeez also outlines the following common examples of eros love that people often overlook:

While all relationships will naturally ebb and flow in passion occasionally, eros love can be incredibly beneficial in many ways. “First, it helps people form deep emotional bonds and act as the nucleus of permanent relationships,” says Jeffries. This is beneficial as the feeling of it can considerably enrich the sexual life of the couple, as well as the general emotional bond between them.

“The dark side of eros love is that, if a relationship lacks other forms of love expanding it, it is less likely to withstand the test of time because the intensity of one’s feelings will diminish anyway,” she adds. Nevertheless, this shouldn’t be seen as an inescapable trait of eros love. After all, it is perfectly possible to enter ahealthy relationshipdynamic with it involved.

In addition, eros love can enhance a person’s well-being. “Eros love has been linked to improved mental and physical well-being, including reduced stress levels, increased feelings of happiness, and even better immune function due to the release of feel-good hormones like oxytocin,” says Hafeez.

Regarding relationship satisfaction, couples experiencing eros love often report higher levels of relationship satisfaction and closeness as they share intimate moments and build strong emotional bonds. “Eros love can also influence individuals’ decision-making processes, leading them to prioritize their partner’s needs and desires above their own in some cases,” she adds. This can impact career choices, financial decisions, and lifestyle preferences.

The Role of Eros Love in Personal Growth

Eros love can also be beneficial forpersonal growth. It helps with making connections and bonding, aids in initiating relationships, provides motivation for commitment, and supplies emotional commitment. Additionally, it is key to building strong emotional connections through mutual growth.

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Practical Tips for Fostering Eros Love

So now that the benefits of eros love have been explained, how exactly can you foster it? Well, while there are no concrete steps to follow, Hafeez recommends doing the following:

While eros love may be mistaken for “young love” or “puppy love,” eros as a concept defines a love that runs far deeper. As Prihandito states, “eros love is more than just understanding and appreciating the physical aspects of a relationship; it also gives space to focus on the emotional and spiritual level of each partner as a whole.” Therefore, it is an important type of love to cultivate and foster.

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3 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Madden K.Eros. In: Leeming DA, Madden K, Marlan S, eds.Encyclopedia of Psychology and Religion. Springer US; 2010:288–291. DOI:10.1007/978-0-387-71802-6_209Sutherland K.Divine madness on the aetiology of romantic obsession.Journal of Consciousness Studies. 2022;29(1):79–112. DOI: 10.53765/20512201.29.1.079Acevedo BP, Poulin MJ, Collins NL, Brown LL.After the honeymoon: neural and genetic correlates of romantic love in newlywed marriages.Front Psychol. 2020;11:493805. DOI:10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00634

3 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Madden K.Eros. In: Leeming DA, Madden K, Marlan S, eds.Encyclopedia of Psychology and Religion. Springer US; 2010:288–291. DOI:10.1007/978-0-387-71802-6_209Sutherland K.Divine madness on the aetiology of romantic obsession.Journal of Consciousness Studies. 2022;29(1):79–112. DOI: 10.53765/20512201.29.1.079Acevedo BP, Poulin MJ, Collins NL, Brown LL.After the honeymoon: neural and genetic correlates of romantic love in newlywed marriages.Front Psychol. 2020;11:493805. DOI:10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00634

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Madden K.Eros. In: Leeming DA, Madden K, Marlan S, eds.Encyclopedia of Psychology and Religion. Springer US; 2010:288–291. DOI:10.1007/978-0-387-71802-6_209Sutherland K.Divine madness on the aetiology of romantic obsession.Journal of Consciousness Studies. 2022;29(1):79–112. DOI: 10.53765/20512201.29.1.079Acevedo BP, Poulin MJ, Collins NL, Brown LL.After the honeymoon: neural and genetic correlates of romantic love in newlywed marriages.Front Psychol. 2020;11:493805. DOI:10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00634

Madden K.Eros. In: Leeming DA, Madden K, Marlan S, eds.Encyclopedia of Psychology and Religion. Springer US; 2010:288–291. DOI:10.1007/978-0-387-71802-6_209

Sutherland K.Divine madness on the aetiology of romantic obsession.Journal of Consciousness Studies. 2022;29(1):79–112. DOI: 10.53765/20512201.29.1.079

Acevedo BP, Poulin MJ, Collins NL, Brown LL.After the honeymoon: neural and genetic correlates of romantic love in newlywed marriages.Front Psychol. 2020;11:493805. DOI:10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00634

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