Long-term relationships change over time; they go through highs and lows, through phases of desolation and blazing fire. But the relationship also changes us. The opinion research institute Forsa has now found out how much we influence each other.
According to the study, around every second couple in this country reports changes in their character, which they attribute to their partner and their relationship. Your relationship probably influences you more than you think. And your partner too. For the most part, we become better through our partners; it is mainly positive behaviors that we cultivate throughout our relationship. Only in very few couples is it the other way around.
We become more considerate.
According to the survey, 62 percent of men and 49 percent of women see themselves as more considerate since they have been with their partner. In contrast, only 3 percent have become more selfish. We also seem to be more generous in relationships: 36 percent of the couples surveyed said that they had become more generous thanks to their partner. For only 5 percent, the relationship had the opposite effect—the partners became stingier than before.
Relationships make you healthy.
For many, the relationship also helps to reduce stress: almost every second couple (47 percent) feels much more relaxed together than without each other. Every third couple (35 percent) said that their partner helps them to relax. The opposite is true for only every eighth of those surveyed (12 percent): for them, stress has increased as a result of the relationship. 13 percent feel more irritable because of their boyfriend or girlfriend.
Contrary to popular belief, relationships are anything but passive: about one in three (35%) people report that their partnership has encouraged them to be more active. Only one in six (16 percent) move less because of their relationship. If one partner moves a lot, the same applies to the other, and if it’s the other way around, the same applies to the other person.
