“I feel that there is nothing more truly artistic than to love people”. Vincent van Gogh

Four reasons why romantic relationships are worthwhile:

1. People in committed relationships tend to report greater levels of well-being (well-being = the state of being comfortable, healthy and happy).
2. Research shows that being in a long-term romantic relationship can improve your ability to cope with stress.
3. You are less likely to suffer from mental illness, such as depression.
4. Most importantly, a large amount of research shows that those in long-term relationships or marriages, are more likely to live longer.

References:

Consequences of relationship status and quality for subjective well-being.Journal of Social and Personal Relationships October 2005 (vol. 22 no. 5 607-627)

Coping with stress in different phases of romantic development. Journal of Adolescence, June 2001, (Volume 24, Issue 3)

Dimensions of Adult Attachment, Affect Regulation, and Romantic Relationship Functioning. Personality Social Psychology Bulletin March 1995 vol. 21 (no. 3 267-283)

Attachment and the Management of Empathic Accuracy in Relationship-Threatening Situations. Personality Social Psychology Bulletin, February 1, 2011 (37: 242-254)

Investigating a four-pathway model of adult attachment orientation and health. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships August 1, 2009 (26: 604-633)

Investigating Validity Evidence for the Experiences in Close Relationships-Revised Questionnaire. Educational and Psychological Measurement February 1, 2006 (66: 116-135)