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Our relationships to the people closest to us have a great influence over our health and well being.<\/span><\/p> <\/p> Healthy relationships have the ability to soothe, nourish and relax our nervous system. Negative relationships can be destructive, toxic, draining and cause stress on our nervous systems putting us on edge and into fight or flight.<\/span><\/p> <\/p> When your nervous system is relaxed it is the parasympathetic state, which is when the body is able to naturally heal, repair and reset itself. When your nervous system is in fight or flight, your body is directing all it\u2019s energy and resources to surviving and the body\u2019s natural healing ability is impaired.<\/span><\/p> <\/p> Whether a relationship is positive and healthy OR toxic and destructive both impact your nervous system. The difference is; a relationship either enhances your health or it impairs your health.<\/span><\/p> <\/p> When you understand and appreciate how much relationships impact your health, you can get clear (or clearer) on who you chose to spend your time with and who you wish to put your time and energy into.<\/span><\/p> <\/p> I'm a big believer in energy and as the saying goes..<\/span><\/p> <\/p> '<\/span>energy goes where you place your attention and\u00a0what you focus upon grows\u2019.<\/span><\/em><\/p> <\/p> With this thought in mind, simply place your attention and focus on your positive relationships or the positive aspects of an individual relationship. By placing your focus and energy into the positive you will hopefully see these healthy relationships expand and become even more soothing on your nervous system. And <\/span>simultaneously, as you give less focus to the negative and draining relationships in your life, you will<\/span> hopefully notice that they become less significant in your life and therefore less of a burden on your nervous system.<\/span><\/p> <\/p> To help you get clear on your relationships, ask yourself the following questions: <\/p> Which relationships bring you joy?<\/span><\/p> <\/p> What do you particularly like, admire or enjoy about that person?<\/span><\/p> <\/p> Which relationships would you like to improve and strengthen?<\/span><\/p> <\/p> How could you proactively improve your relationships?<\/span><\/p>
Take a moment to think about the\u00a0people that you are close to and spend the most time with. These could be your family, partners, friends, children, colleagues etc. Pause your thoughts on each person and feel into how each person makes you feel and ask yourself if you feel the relationship is a positive or negative experience. If a close relationship isn\u2019t as a fulfilling as you would like it to be, could you find some positive aspects of the relationship with that person?<\/span><\/p>
Which relationships feel safe, trusting and respectful?<\/span><\/p>
Challenge yourself to choose just one of the following 'Healthy Relationship\u00a0Habits' this\u00a0week and\u00a0implement it into your daily\/ weekly routine. Be mindful to choose one that you would like to continue forward into the weeks ahead.
Go with what you feel intuitively drawn to:
<\/span>RELATIONSHIPS<\/strong>
1. Book in a weekly phone date with a friend or family<\/span><\/strong>
Connection with other people is really vital to our over health and well being. To share life experiences, to laugh and to support each other are all nourishing for our hearts, souls and for our mental health. If you can't meet in person, book a date to call someone. Make it a weekly ritual to touch base with either one person, or someone different each week. That weekly connection will make a difference to you and the person you reach out to. This might resonate with someone who feels a little lonely right now and wants to feel more connected with others.<\/span>
\u00a0 2. Give people your full attention and listen fully more than you speak<\/span><\/strong>
It is so healing when people feel heard and understood. When someone feels heard, they feel valued and cared for, it builds trust and respect in the relationship, and therefore creates a stronger bond for\u00a0two people. If you are looking to build a stronger relationship or to repair a relationship that is not in a good place, this is one for you.<\/span>
3. Share your day. At the end of each day, choose someone close to you and spend a few minutes exchanging stories about your days<\/span><\/strong>
This can be a helpful way to unwind after a day of work, or a busy day. Share over dinner with loved ones or housemates.Or if you live alone, perhaps you can reach out to someone over the phone who is in the same position as you, and make a pact to (where possible), be each other's support in sharing your days.This can really help to\u00a0elevate stress and anxiety. If something didn't go to plan that day, perhaps the other person may be able to offer support, a solution or just a listening ear.<\/span>
4. Volunteer\u00a0or lend a hand<\/span><\/strong>
This can be so rewarding to support and\u00a0help others. Helping others or supporting worthwhile causes that are close to your heart, creates greater sense of purpose, greater self-worth and greater sense of well being. This is ideal if you want to create a better relationship with yourself.<\/span>
5. Create a supportive community\u00a0<\/span><\/strong>
In Japan they have a tradition of life long friendships called -\u00a0Moai. This tradition of friendship groups is believed to be why people live longer and better. It's a small group of lifelong friends of usually 5 people. They are a social support group that\u00a0meet regularly. They have a deep connection and respect for one another.<\/span>
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