Can Casual Dating Harm Your Mental Health?

Modern dating needs its own dictionary. From benching to situationships, it has so many new setups and each has its own term or definition. Casual dating is one such setup, which is also believed to be very common these days. It is far from the old school traditional romantic relationship. In a casual relationship, two people engage in almost all the activities a regular couple takes part in – the only exception being that there’s no ‘label’ or tag to the relationship. Most importantly, these two people are not committed to each other, nor is the relationship exclusive. While this may sound fun for some, casual dating may harm your mental health. Yes, you read that right. Read ahead to know more about this.

To get a wholesome picture of this, we reached out to our experts – Dr Divya Shree KR, Consultant – Psychiatry, Aster CMI Hospital, Bangalore and Dr Dhvani Satija, Psychiatrist, Fortis Hospital, Faridabad.

What Is Casual Dating?

Casual dating is when two people decide to date, but without any commitment that a romantic relationship comes with. In this dating setup, people date and it may include physical intimacy, but are not engaged, married, or in a committed relationship.

This dating setup is considered a fun way to socialise for many. For some, it can be a way of getting to know a person better before they commit to them. On the other hand, there are people who are opposed to casual dating and may view it as immoral or toxic. To summarise, casual dating can be described when people are in the following setups:

• Friends with benefits or hookups.
• No or less degree of emotional attachment.
• Lacks relationship labels.
• Attachments are pursued for fun, not commitment.

Can Casual Dating Affect Your Mental Health?

Now that you know what casual dating is, let us tell you whether it is good or bad for our mental health.

“Casual dating can affect mental health negatively for some people because it often involves short-term or unclear relationships. This can lead to confusion, insecurity, or emotional stress. Repeated breakups or lack of commitment may cause feelings of loneliness, low self-esteem, or anxiety. Constantly seeking approval or attention from partners can increase pressure and reduce self-worth, while comparing yourself to others or worrying about being replaced can add stress,” explains Dr Shree KR.

Dr Satija believes that casual dating, at times, can also serve as a way to avoid vulnerability for some. “This may make them feel protected, at least in the short term, but sometimes it reinforces loneliness, emotional detachment, or fear of deeper intimacy,” she adds.

Also Read: Modern Love And Mental Health: How Youth Deals With Dating Burnout; Experts Weigh In

Side Effects Of Casual Dating

On this note, Dr Satija shares the side effects of casual dating:

• Casual dating can indeed be healthy for some people, but from a mental health perspective, it too often depends on emotional readiness and self-awareness.
• Many individuals enter casual relationships, hoping to keep things light, only to find their emotional needs unexpectedly arising.
• The biggest risk involves mismatched expectations. When two people approach the relationship with different intentions, someone often gets hurt.
• Even within consensual casual arrangements, humans are wired for attachment. Feelings can develop gradually, and when they're not reciprocated, people may internalise this as rejection or inadequacy.
• Casual dating also tends to lack structure and predictability, which give a feeling of emotional safety. Without stability, anxious or mixed attachment style persons might exhibit increased feelings of insecurity, rumination, or dysregulation of emotions.
• Another concern is the normalisation of abrupt endings.
• Ghosting is common in casual dynamics, but repeated exposure to such experiences has the potential to erode trust and contribute to a cynical view of relationships.
• Casual dating may prevent forming deep emotional connections, leaving some people feeling empty or disconnected.

Tips To Protect Mental Health In Casual Relationships

But is casual dating completely negative? Dr Shree KR shares that casual dating is not detrimental for all. “When the expectations are clear, communication is honest, and emotional boundaries are strong, it can be an enriching experience,” she adds. On this note, the expert shells out some tips which can help your mental health while you are on a casual relationship:

• Know your own emotional limits.
• Communicate openly.
• Set boundaries.
• Take breaks when needed.
• Focus on self-care to maintain mental well-being while dating casually.

One should regularly take a look at oneself to ascertain that the arrangement also coincides with one's psychological and emotional requirements.

Also Read: Why Men Should Keep Track Of Their Partner’s Menstrual Cycle

The Final Word

Casual dating can affect mental health negatively for some people because it often involves short-term or unclear relationships. This can lead to confusion, insecurity, or emotional stress. Repeated breakups or lack of commitment may cause feelings of loneliness, low self-esteem, or anxiety. Thus, one should regularly take a look at oneself to ascertain that the arrangement also coincides with one's psychological and emotional requirements.