Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSignsTypesFormationBenefitsTipsChallenges
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Signs
Types
Formation
Benefits
Tips
Challenges
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A platonic relationship is one in which two people share a close bond but do not have asexual relationship. They may even feel love for each other, referred to as platonic love. This concept originates in the ideas of the ancient philosopher Plato, from whose name the term is derived.
Plato believed that platonic love could bring people closer to a divine ideal. However, the modern use of ‘platonic relationship’ or ‘platonic love’ is focused on the idea of people being close friends without sexual desire. This term can apply to both opposite-sex and same-sex friendships.
Platonic Relationship vs. Romantic Relationship
A platonic relationship is different from a romantic relationship. While both types of relationships often involve having a deep friendship and sometimes even love, people in a romantic relationship are typically physically intimate whereas there is no sex or physicalintimacyin a platonic relationship.
It is possible to desire physical intimacy (such as hugging, kissing, or touching) or sex with the other person but not be engaged in these activities. If no physical intimacy or sex exists between you and the other person, it is a platonic relationship—even if the desire is there.
Platonic RelationshipInvolves deep friendshipPeople involved may or may not have a desire for physical intimacyNo physical intimacy or sex occursRomantic RelationshipInvolves deep friendshipGenerally involves both people having a desire for physical intimacyOften involves physical intimacy and/or sex
Platonic RelationshipInvolves deep friendshipPeople involved may or may not have a desire for physical intimacyNo physical intimacy or sex occurs
Involves deep friendship
People involved may or may not have a desire for physical intimacy
No physical intimacy or sex occurs
Romantic RelationshipInvolves deep friendshipGenerally involves both people having a desire for physical intimacyOften involves physical intimacy and/or sex
Generally involves both people having a desire for physical intimacy
Often involves physical intimacy and/or sex
Signs Your Relationship Is Platonic
Platonic relationships are oftenfriendships. And while the lack of a sexual relationship is what characterizes this type of connection, it does not necessarily mean that the individuals in the relationship are not attracted to each other or could not start to feel attracted to one another.
Types of Platonic Relationships
A few terms have emerged to describe different types of platonic relationships. These include:
Strengthen Friendships With Good Listening Skills
How to Form a Platonic Relationship
Platonic relationships can be important for psychological well-being. Research has found that havingsocial supportplays a vital role in mental health, so building a network that includes family, platonic friends, and other loved ones can be important for your overall wellness.
Some things that you can do to help foster platonic relationships include:
In addition to developing new platonic relationships, it is also important to understand how to keep the ones you have now healthy and strong. Some ways to do this include being supportive, maintaining boundaries, andpracticing honesty.
How the 4 Types of Friendship Fit Into Your Life
Benefits of Platonic Relationships
There are several reasons why having platonic relationships is important for your health and well-being. Some of the positive effects that these relationships may bring to your life include:
Improved Health
Research suggests that having love and support from people in your life can have important health benefits. Physically, this type of platonic love and support can lower your risk for disease, improve your immunity, and decrease your risk for depression and anxiety.
Lower Stress
Stresscan take a serious toll on both your physical and mental health. Chronic orprolonged stresscan contribute to health problems such as cardiac disease, high blood pressure, digestive issues, and decreased immunity. It can also play a role in mood problems such asanxietyordepression.
Having strong platonic relationships outside of immediate family and romantic partnerships has been found to help people better cope with sources of stress. Not only that, but having supportive platonic friendships also lowers the stress that people face.
The Different Types of Social Support
Increased Resilience
Platonic relationships can play a role in helping you become moreresilientin the face of life’s challenges. Whether you have troubles in your romantic relationships, problems in your family, work struggles, or health challenges, your platonic relationships can support you as you weather these storms.
One study found that one of the biggest predictors of a person’s ability to recover after a traumatic or stressful event was the presence of strong friendships.
Tips for a Healthy Platonic Relationship
Platonic relationships are not always easy to find. When you do establish a strong platonic bond, it is important to continue to nurture and strengthen that connection. Some things that you can do to help keep these relationships healthy include:
It is also important to know when to let go of a platonic relationship.Unhealthy relationshipscan create stress, so don’t be afraid to end your association if the other person is unkind, manipulative, hurtful, or doesn’t support you the way you need.
It Sucks, But Sometimes Ending a Friendship Is Necessary—Here’s How to Do It
Potential Challenges of a Platonic Relationship
It is important to note that platonic relationships are not the same asunrequited love. An unrequited relationship is essentially a crush that involves one person being romantically or sexually interested in someone who does not return their feelings. True platonic relationships do not involve an unequal balance of emotions.
This does not mean that a platonic relationship can’t or won’t develop into something romantic or sexual. While such a relationship can potentially turn into a strong romantic relationship, you also run the risk of losing the friendship if you end upbreaking up.
If maintaining a platonic relationship is important to you, focus on establishing and maintaining clearboundaries. For example, set limits on things such as time spent together, amount of contact, and physical intimacy.
Platonic BoundariesSome boundaries to maintain in a platonic relationship include:Don’tgossipor complain about your partners to each otherDon’t engage in physical contact beyond casual intimacy (i.e., avoid things like handholding, kissing, or “friends-with-benefits” situations)Don’t ditch your partner to spend time with your platonic friendDon’t hide your platonic relationship from your partnerGive each other plenty of spaceMake time for your other relationships
Platonic Boundaries
Some boundaries to maintain in a platonic relationship include:Don’tgossipor complain about your partners to each otherDon’t engage in physical contact beyond casual intimacy (i.e., avoid things like handholding, kissing, or “friends-with-benefits” situations)Don’t ditch your partner to spend time with your platonic friendDon’t hide your platonic relationship from your partnerGive each other plenty of spaceMake time for your other relationships
Some boundaries to maintain in a platonic relationship include:
If You Want Something More
If you want to extend a platonic relationship or platonic love into a sexual or romantic relationship, it is important to be open and honest with the other person. Express your interest without pressuring them.
Discuss what it might mean to the relationship and how it might ultimately affect your friendship. Platonic relationships can serve as a great foundation for a romantic relationship, but it is important to be honest andcommunicate openly.
4 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.American Psychological Association.Manage stress: Strengthen your support network.Miller A.Friends wanted.Monitor on Psychology. 2014;45(1):54.Amati V, Meggiolaro S, Rivellini G, Zaccarin S.Social relations and life satisfaction: The role of friends.Genus. 2018;74(1):7. doi:10.1186/s41118-018-0032-zvan Harmelen A-L, Kievit RA, Ioannidis K, et al.Adolescent friendships predict later resilient functioning across psychosocial domains in a healthy community cohort.Psycholog Med. 2017;47(13):2312-2322. doi:10.1017/S0033291717000836
4 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.American Psychological Association.Manage stress: Strengthen your support network.Miller A.Friends wanted.Monitor on Psychology. 2014;45(1):54.Amati V, Meggiolaro S, Rivellini G, Zaccarin S.Social relations and life satisfaction: The role of friends.Genus. 2018;74(1):7. doi:10.1186/s41118-018-0032-zvan Harmelen A-L, Kievit RA, Ioannidis K, et al.Adolescent friendships predict later resilient functioning across psychosocial domains in a healthy community cohort.Psycholog Med. 2017;47(13):2312-2322. doi:10.1017/S0033291717000836
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.
American Psychological Association.Manage stress: Strengthen your support network.Miller A.Friends wanted.Monitor on Psychology. 2014;45(1):54.Amati V, Meggiolaro S, Rivellini G, Zaccarin S.Social relations and life satisfaction: The role of friends.Genus. 2018;74(1):7. doi:10.1186/s41118-018-0032-zvan Harmelen A-L, Kievit RA, Ioannidis K, et al.Adolescent friendships predict later resilient functioning across psychosocial domains in a healthy community cohort.Psycholog Med. 2017;47(13):2312-2322. doi:10.1017/S0033291717000836
American Psychological Association.Manage stress: Strengthen your support network.
Miller A.Friends wanted.Monitor on Psychology. 2014;45(1):54.
Amati V, Meggiolaro S, Rivellini G, Zaccarin S.Social relations and life satisfaction: The role of friends.Genus. 2018;74(1):7. doi:10.1186/s41118-018-0032-z
van Harmelen A-L, Kievit RA, Ioannidis K, et al.Adolescent friendships predict later resilient functioning across psychosocial domains in a healthy community cohort.Psycholog Med. 2017;47(13):2312-2322. doi:10.1017/S0033291717000836
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