For many, relationships with others are an essential part of life. From friends to partners to family and colleagues, healthy relationships have an impact on our overall wellbeing, granting joy, fulfillment, and even ample health benefits. Yet, many modern-day relationships may have their fair share of highs and lows, which can ultimately affect general wellness. To gain insight into managing relationships for wellbeing, this article takes a look at the science of wellness and relationships.
1. Wellness, Relationships, and Lasting Connection
In a world where technology progresses and life moves faster than ever, it’s ever more difficult to prioritize genuine connection and wellness. Without mindfulness and care, the fast pace of modern life can leave us feeling frazzled and isolated. To counterbalance stress and disconnection, people must actively nourish their physical, emotional, and spiritual wellness.
Physical Wellness
- Adopt meaningful, health-conscientious practices such as getting adequate restful sleep, eating well-rounded meals and snacks, and exercising.
- Take time to stretch the body and relax the mind. Consider physically active past times such as yoga, tai chi, as well as inactive meditative practices like walking in nature.
- Prioritize self-care to stay healthy. This might look like getting massages, taking a relaxing bath or shower.
Emotional Wellness
- Create a supportive community of like minded people. Friends, family, and acquaintances can make all the difference when tough times arise.
- Mentally challenge yourself. Taking up difficult projects such as learning a new skill or language can open the door to renewed self-confidence.
- Cultivate a positive outlook by being conscious of the language you use to describe yourself. Reframe disempowering thoughts to empower your emotions.
Spiritual Wellness
- Discover what feels true to your core. Connecting to something greater than oneself can enable true fulfillment.
- Increase your awareness of the present moment. Mindful breathing and gratitude practice can help bring attention to the world around you.
- Engage in meaningful activities, whether with others or alone. Connecting with nature, doing volunteer service, or simply taking a moment to observe can bring profound peace.
The key is to find balance and cultivate a regular practice of wellness. Doing so cultivates relationships with oneself and others that are strong enough to weather the tumultuousness of life.
2. Being Present: Prioritizing Self-Care and Intimate Relationships
In this fast-paced, technology-driven world, it is easy to forget to prioritize our own needs and the needs of our family and friends. To stay truly connected and grounded in our relationships with ourselves and others, it is essential to be present.
Spend Quality Time Together
Make sure to spend quality time with those close to you. Show an active interest in their lives and what they have been up to, away from the distraction of technology or other commitments. Reserve time just for the two of you, even if it is just a coffee break from your day or a leisurely stroll around the block.
Set Healthy Boundaries
It is important to establish boundaries both in work and in our personal relationships. This can help us to focus on the present moment and not carry over stress or worries from one area to another. Don’t be afraid to say no and prioritize time for yourself.
Indulge in Self-Care Practices
Taking care of yourself is essential for longer-term success. Dedicate time in your schedule to special activities that help you to feel connected with yourself and keep your emotional balance. This could be anything from going for a run, journaling, or taking a long bubble bath. You know best what recharges your batteries, so make sure to make time for it.
Make Use of Technology
We can use technology as a means to stay connected with those we care about. Even if you are unable to meet in person due to distance or Covid-19 restrictions, it is possible to maintain relationships with calls, Skype, Facetime, or Zoom. You can use these technologies to check in with each other, for leisure activities, or even to make sure that your loved ones are safe.
3. Building Bridges: Navigating Difficult Conversations for Closeness
Exploring conversations – particularly difficult ones – that bridge divides is a key component of strengthening bonds and creating closeness in our lives.
Focus on Understanding
The first step when faced with a difficult conversation – such as politics – is to focus on understanding. It’s about approaching the conversation with an open-mindedness and aim to empathise with the other person’s perspective. Refrain from immediately putting others in the wrong and look for common ground, even if it is just a shared understanding of the other person’s point of view.
Listen Without Responding Immediately
When involved in a difficult conversation, aim to take time to listen and only respond after the speaker has finished. This allows you to better gather ideas and information in order to craft a thoughtful response. Similarly, it allows the other person to feel heard and respected.
Be Respectful
It is important to fosters a culture of respect and appreciation for the differences of opinions. Respectful dialogue is encouraged, whilst any form of name-calling and generalisations should be avoided.
Common Goals
We should remember that despite the differences, we usually have shared goals. Therefore, it is important to remember to focus on the common ground and steer the conversation back to it.
Strive for Transparent Communication
It is essential to strive for transparent communication, whereby both parties are open about their feelings, expectations and needs. This means being willing to explore the differences, acknowledge our own shortcomings and accept that we are not always right. This way we can move in a positive direction towards finding common ground.
Take a Step Back
If the conversation becomes heated, it is essential to take a step back – a shared silence or pause for a few moments can do wonders in terms of breaking the tension. Once both parties have reflected, understanding can start to take its place.
4. Reaping the Benefits of Maintaining Healthy Relationships
Establishing and maintaining relationships with family, friends, and colleagues is essential in living a healthy, fulfilled life. Everyone deserves to have someone in their corner, to lend an ear and some helpful advice. Here are the benefits of maintaining healthy relationships.
- Stress Relief: Social support can relieve stress levels, reduce the intensity of difficult experiences, and help us cope better. Having someone you can trust and turn to in times of need can be invaluable.
- Sense of Self-Confidence: When you have meaningful relationships with people who recognize your value and worth, your self-respect will naturally increase. Your relationships provide social validation, which can boost your self-confidence.
- Sense of Belonging: Good relationships help us feel a sense of belonging as we are accepted and appreciated for who we are. The feeling of inclusion and warmth helps us enhance our self-worth.
- Mutual Exchange: Relationships don’t only provide emotional support, but they can also be incredibly valuable when it comes to learning, exchanging ideas, and gaining knowledge from one another.
Relationships should be built to last, and continuously contributed to in order for it to thrive. Of course, it requires effort, compromise, and time — but it’s worth it. Deep connections contribute significantly to the quality of life.
Whether you’re looking to build new relationships or strengthen the ones you have, it’s important to develop respectful, reciprocal connections that benefit both you and those around you. The truth is, positive relationships are essential for our mental and emotional wellness.
Finding simple ways to foster meaningful relationships can be a great start to building a healthier and happier outlook on life. As we grow, change, and develop, our relationships will evolve, too. While there is still much to learn, by understanding the importance of investing in and nurturing our wellbeing through relationships, we can take the first steps of creating the life we want to live.
