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Is Polyamory Psychologically Healthy?

by Louise W. Rice
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Love has no boundaries. The essence of polyamory is to spread love by loving others. To love someone and feel real enjoyment when they find love with another is a fantastic feeling. These relationships are no less psychologically healthy or happy than traditional monogamous ones and may positively affect them.

In principle, it is healthy, just as any intimate relationship with the consent and involvement of all participants is healthy. But polyamory includes more than average energy to be maintained. Polyamorous relationships are also a little more complicated than traditional relationships. “Not for everyone” pretty much describes this kind of arrangement. But to some, quite satisfying!

Here are some questions that you might want an answer to.

What is Polyamory? What Does it Mean to Be Polyamorous?

Polyamory is just like music. You can listen to polyphonic and admire it or listen to homophonic compositions and still find them wonderful.

Polyamory is a relationship configuration in which parties in that relationship agree that abstaining from romantic, intimate, and sexual relationships with other people outside the relationship is not a requirement for the relationship’s continued existence. Just like with any relationship, some work and some don’t. Consider the number of people someone generally dates before finding a fit.

Generally, people deliberately search for partners on poly dating sites because they see opportunities for sexual growth. But polyamory works as well as any other relationship structure. It has unique traits that can be challenging, but it can also relieve more common issues in two-person relationships.

Polyamory has surprisingly little to do with sex, and people usually support other causes, such as a nomadic lifestyle or cycled celibacy. Polyamory is more mental rather than physical; it’s a belief system by like-minded people. They can certainly be successful if they aren’t mixed in with “open relationships,” an entirely another thing. With poly, there are basic and standard rules and regulations that everyone entering the relationship agrees on both short and long term.

How Does a Polyamorous Relationship Work?

In a polyamorous relationship, much like every other relationship, it’s only normal that problems arise. What’s important is that you do not allow these issues to fester. Some partners make way for more complications as more emotions and egos vulnerable. Make sure you come to terms with the problems as quickly as possible to keep the relationship healthy.

If you allow issues such as jealousy or hurt feelings to sink into bitterness, they would be almost difficult to fix. Polyamory is about creating custom relationships, usually seeking to work as well as possible for all involved. The main common ingredient is honest communication with all partners. And typically, what distinguishes a poly relationship from a “monogamous relationship plus good friendships” is that poly transgresses sexual or romantic/emotional exclusivity expectations in some way.

Within that broad framework, poly relationships can cover a lot of territories. It could include people in some form of (conceptual, not legal) group marriage or a couple who also date other people. People most often are friends with the people their partner(s) are involved with, but that’s not required; on the other hand, sometimes they are emotionally close lovers all around. Psychology Today has some useful information for you to better understand how it works.

How to Know if It’s Right for You?

Now that you know how it works, how do you know if it’s right for you? The first is a matter of practicality. Doing poly means communication skills, time management skills, emotional self-consciousness, and the ability to manage issues of jealousy and envy.

If you struggle with jealousy, insecurity, neediness, or codependency, to be in a poly relationship will be difficult. It depends on what you want and what you are looking for in relationships and connections with others.

Polyamory works well for some, and not so well for others – and that’s okay. The good thing in polyamory (when done healthily) is that all parties take responsibility for their desires, emotions, and actions. This lifestyle requires a high level of personal awareness, integrity, emotional intelligence, communication, and transparency. If you are curious about polyamory, then just try it out.

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