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“You’re Not Seriously This Far In Denial?”: Netizens Give Man A Reality Check About His GF
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“You’re Not Seriously This Far In Denial?”: Netizens Give Man A Reality Check About His GF

“You’re Not Seriously This Far In Denial?”: Netizens Give Man A Reality Check About His GFMan Tells GF To Stop Cuddling With Her Male Friend, Asks If He Was Wrong And Gets A Reality CheckGuy Questions GF’s “Weird” Behavior Towards Her Male Best Friend, Gets A Reality Check OnlineMan Wants To Know If GF And Her Male Best Friend’s Behavior Is Weird, Internet Weighs InGuy Asks If He’s A Jerk To Protest His GF Cuddling With Her BFF When They’re Alone“Bruh”: People Break The News To Naive Man About His GF’s Cuddles With Male Bestie“You’re Not Seriously This Far In Denial?”: Guy Asks If It’s Okay For Friends To CuddleGuy Finds The Way His GF And Her Male BFF Act Behind His Back To Be “Weird”, Asks If He’s WrongWoman Spends Evenings Cuddling Her Male BFF, Her Boyfriend Finds It “Weird”“They Like To Cuddle”: Woman’s Cozy Cuddles With Male Friend Raise Red Flags In BF
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A healthy relationship is based on more than just love and admiration; the couple must respect one another, too, as well as the boundaries they both set.

When this redditor opened up about a certain situation in his relationship, fellow netizens suggested that setting boundaries is exactly what he should be focusing on. He shared that his girlfriend would cuddle with her male best friend, which the OP himself found a bit weird, even if he didn’t think it meant something more.

Scroll down to find the full story below, where you will also find Bored Panda’s interview with a licensed clinical psychologist, Dr. Yesel Yoon, who was kind enough to answer a few of our questions on the importance of setting boundaries.

RELATED:

    For many couples, cuddling is a way to express love and fondness or simply to unwind together

    Image credits: Becca Tapert / Unsplash (not the actual photo)

    This man found it weird that his girlfriend would cuddle with her male best friend

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    Image credits: Yan Krukau / Pexels (not the actual photo)

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    Image credits: Hot_Chemistry9916

    Image credits: Toa Heftiba / Unsplash (not the actual photo)

    Cuddling can have a positive effect on one’s well-being

    It’s safe to assume that most people love cuddling and hugs (except for when it’s too hot and you dread anyone or anything touching you that is not the cool breeze coming from the AC). Be it an unexpected embrace or cuddling while watching your favorite show, having someone hold you in their arms tends to evoke this warm and fuzzy feeling, as well as a sense of safety, neither of which sound like a detrimental state to be in.

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    A piece in Forbes magazine emphasized just how important hugs are, citing a world-renowned family therapist, Virginia Satir, who said that “We need 4 hugs a day for survival. We need 8 hugs a day for maintenance. We need 12 hugs a day for growth.” According to Forbes, there are four main reasons why humans need hugs on a daily basis, the first being that they strengthen people’s immune system and help balance their body.

    In addition to that, hugs increase a sense of safety and trust in other people, as well as your sense of belonging, by minimizing feelings of loneliness, isolation, and anger. Last but not least, hugs reportedly increase your feelings of mattering and self-esteem, as extended hugging—lasting 20 seconds or more—boosts the serotonin levels, resulting in experiencing positive emotions.

    Image credits: Jonathan Borba / Pexels (not the actual photo)

    Hugging and cuddling releases oxytocin, also known as the ‘love’ or the ‘cuddling’ hormone

    Serotonin is not the only mood-related chemical that hugging boosts, though. Also known as the ‘love’ or the ‘cuddle’ hormone, oxytocin, too, is released when we’re in our loved ones’ arms. According to Harvard Health Publishing, a simple act of touch, giving someone a hug or—you guessed it—cuddling can lead to higher levels of oxytocin, and consequently, a greater sense of well-being.

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    A survey of more than a thousand heterosexual couples in long-term relationships (averaging 25 years) revealed that cuddling was seemingly more important for men than for their female counterparts. Be that as it may, the survey also found that both men and women felt happier with their relationships the longer they stayed together.

    While the time spent together seemingly works in favor of a couple’s relationship, one of the partners cuddling with someone else arguably does not. That’s why quite a few netizens in the comments under the OP’s post suggested that he reevaluate his relationship or set some boundaries at least.

    Image credits: SHVETS production / Pexels (not the actual photo)

    Boundaries play a significant role in any relationship

    Talking about the importance of setting boundaries, the licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Yesel Yoon pointed out that in a relationship, it’s crucial to discuss them, and do it more than once. “Boundaries cover a broad range of behaviors and expectations of engagement. It’s important to consent and be in agreement about what a ‘romantic relationship’ entails – what is the structure of the relationship (monogamous, polyamorous, open)? These definitions will set in motion the kinds of boundaries and expectations the partners involved can have of each other,” she noted.

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    “As for importance, regardless of the structure of the relationship, constructive conversations about boundaries and rules of engagement are incredibly important. It’s an ongoing conversation and it’s important to start early and continue them often.”

    According to the expert, some examples of boundaries to set or discuss in a healthy relationship include the boundaries regarding time expectations, consensual physical and sexual intimacy, negotiations about monetary and other resources—are these resources shared or separated, and if so, how?—how to communicate and have healthy conflict, and what is or isn’t okay to discuss around each other and other people (like friends, family, colleagues).

    Fellow netizens shared their opinions in the comments, many saw the gf cuddling her friend as a huge red flag

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    Miglė Miliūtė

    Miglė Miliūtė

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    Read more »

    A writer here at Bored Panda, I am a lover of good music, good food, and good company, which makes food-related topics and feel-good stories my favorite ones to cover. Passionate about traveling and concerts, I constantly seek occasions to visit places yet personally unexplored. I also enjoy spending free time outdoors, trying out different sports—even if I don’t look too graceful at it—or socializing over a cup of coffee.

    Read less »
    Miglė Miliūtė

    Miglė Miliūtė

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    A writer here at Bored Panda, I am a lover of good music, good food, and good company, which makes food-related topics and feel-good stories my favorite ones to cover. Passionate about traveling and concerts, I constantly seek occasions to visit places yet personally unexplored. I also enjoy spending free time outdoors, trying out different sports—even if I don’t look too graceful at it—or socializing over a cup of coffee.

    Rugilė Žemaitytė

    Rugilė Žemaitytė

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    Read more »

    As a Visual Editor at Bored Panda, my favorite part of the job involves browsing the web for the cutest cat pics, the funniest memes and eye-catching illustrations to brighten up your day!

    Read less »

    Rugilė Žemaitytė

    Rugilė Žemaitytė

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    As a Visual Editor at Bored Panda, my favorite part of the job involves browsing the web for the cutest cat pics, the funniest memes and eye-catching illustrations to brighten up your day!

    What do you think ?
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    Paul C
    Community Member
    4 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This feels like rage bait. There are holes in it - if he's never met the friend, how does he know they cuddle? And who could possibly think it might be okay for their girlfriend to cuddle another man when they are not there and never when the other guy's girlfriend is there?

    Rahul Pawa
    Community Member
    4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yes and, how does he know they don't do it when the guy's GF is around?

    Load More Replies...
    Donald
    Community Member
    4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We either found the most gas-lit man on the internet or some serious BS.

    JayWantsACat
    Community Member
    4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This really feels fake but some people are just completely clueless and/or desperate to have/keep a relationship.

    Load More Replies...
    Load More Comments
    Paul C
    Community Member
    4 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This feels like rage bait. There are holes in it - if he's never met the friend, how does he know they cuddle? And who could possibly think it might be okay for their girlfriend to cuddle another man when they are not there and never when the other guy's girlfriend is there?

    Rahul Pawa
    Community Member
    4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yes and, how does he know they don't do it when the guy's GF is around?

    Load More Replies...
    Donald
    Community Member
    4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We either found the most gas-lit man on the internet or some serious BS.

    JayWantsACat
    Community Member
    4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This really feels fake but some people are just completely clueless and/or desperate to have/keep a relationship.

    Load More Replies...
    Load More Comments
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