Critical Emotional Needs To Consider In Relationships: Here's How To Meet Them

Thursday, March 16, 2023, 18:35

Whether they show it or not, all humans have an emotional side. In healthy relationships, it is essential that partners take care of each other emotional needs in order to thrive on an individual level and together. Even though every relationship is unique and different, in order to live and survive the test of time, it needs nourishment and emotional support.

It is said that all good things cannot be seen but felt and affection, companionship, appreciation, security, and validation are some of them. Even though they are not tangible but they are extremely crucial and their absence can be a deal breaker in relationships.

What Are Emotional Needs?

To feel at peace, contented, happy and fulfilled, there are certain conditions that humans need, whether they are in a relationship or not. Whenever they are not met, it is possible for an individual to feel dissatisfied, hurt or frustrated. Feeling appreciated, accepted, loved, safe, or being a part of a community can be considered as examples of emotional needs. These needs can be based on a lot of factors like childhood experiences, upbringing, the environment that an individual is in, and more.

We have listed some critical emotional needs that one must consider in order to build a strong relationship and here is how you can meet them.

1. Showing Affection To Your Partner

Every individual has a different way of showing affection and it depends on factors like their personality, previous experiences, etc. There are little things that you can do to show your partner that you love and care for them such as showing loving gestures like holding hands, kissing, cuddling, hugging; having physical intimacy, using affectionate words, and showing gratitude and kindness.

2. Connecting On A Deeper Level

If you are planning to have a long-term relationship, then connecting on a deeper level with your partner is essential. Communicating your needs to your partner and staying always emotionally available for each other will make your relationship easy. If living together with your partner minus the emotional connection is bothering you then you can do certain things to get it back like engaging in activities, exploring a new area of life, sharing childhood memories or even planning a trip together to bring newness to your routine.

3. Feeling Safe While Sharing Emotions

While sharing feelings with your partner it is essential for you to feel safe and supported, both emotionally and physically. When you trust your partner, it becomes easy to be vulnerable around them and share hopes, fears and pain. This is so because you will know that it will be received with warmth and concern. Here is how security will look like a relationship- understanding each other's boundaries, feeling physically and emotionally secure with your partner, and knowing that your partner will always have your back.

4. Maintaining Individuality In A Relationship

In a healthy relationship, two people grow together and therefore, it is important to maintain individuality while doing so, in short having autonomy is essential. While it is important to share interests, needs, hobbies and activities with your partner, and grow as a team, taking care of your own need is equally important. If your interests are different, recognize them and let your partner know about them. Have your own goals and set your own targets and be comfortable in your own company as well.

5. Validating The Concerns

Who doesn't love to be heard? In a relationship, it is necessary that your problems and concerns are heard by your partner and validated. If your partner fails to see or understand your perspective, make them see your perspective, else there is a chance that you will be misunderstood or unheard by your partner. It is possible that at times they can disregard the way you feel and this can really cause pain, and hurt and make you feel disrespected. Also, over a period of time, it can turn into resentment. Whenever this happens have a conversation with your partner and get it resolved.

6. Being Empathic Towards Your Partner

Being empathetic in your relationship is important because it not only strengthens the bond but also helps both partners understand each other on a deeper level. Understand that if your partner does something that you do not like, it is not because they don't love you and it is very much possible that they have other engagements they cannot get rid of. It can be forgetting an anniversary, or birthday party, reaching late on a date, forgetting gifts, etc. Understanding each other's situations instead of passing judgements will bring you closer to one another.

7. Considering Social Wellness

It is human to look forward to a connection and this is where social wellness comes in. Connecting with others in a social setting can make one feel connected and accepted. Even though your relationship is strong, you need good people around you and a connection to a community to feel nice and happy. When you spend quality time with a volunteer group, engage in a random act of kindness and spend quality time with your friends, you feel a sense of joy.

8. Accepting People For Who They Are

Acceptance is the key to creating a sense of belongingness in a relationship. When you do not customise someone and let your partner be the way they are, not just the relationship thrives, but the individual does too. Acceptance can be seen in many forms such as sharing your aims and ambitions and respecting each other's choices, introducing your partner to your family members and friends, asking each other for suggestions and support and doing, and planning activities together.

9. Developing Trust

A relationship is not only about developing security, but it is also about developing trust. If you do not trust your partner, there is no way you will feel safe in their presence. However, trust has to cannot be built instantly, it takes years of effort. If there is a moment in your relationship where you believe you or your partner is facing a trust deficit, then communicate and express your concerns. Tell them what are the boundaries and deal breakers for you. It can be anything- cheating, not practising hygiene, lying, too much inference from friends or family, etc.

10. Having Enough Space And Privacy

To maintain emotional wellness, everyone needs to have their own space, learn and unlearn a lot of things in order to grow. Spending some time in your own company can help you to self-reflect and learn from your past and present experiences. It is essential to connect with your partner but look after yourself as a priority. Not having your emotional needs met or resolved can really make your relationship messy. So, create a small corner or have a small room for yourself, where you can take some out and focus on yourself.