Embracing healthy relationships with ourselves and with others

Healthy relationships play a crucial role in promoting and maintaining good mental well being. These connections offer emotional support, reduce stress, and contribute to an overall sense of happiness and fulfillment. They also help us navigate life’s challenges and provide a strong foundation for mental health. In this article, we will give you a few tips to improve your communication skills and step up your game regarding conflict resolution.

Effective communication is the base of any healthy relationship. Our goal should always be to build a bridge between each other instead of a wall. If you have a hard time communicating effectively, here are some tips that can help you enhance your skills:

• Let’s actively listen. Genuinely listening to someone means giving them your full attention. Try to maintain eye contact, avoid interrupting, and ask questions to ensure you understand their perspective.
• Being open and honest. When in a trusting environment, try to be open about your thoughts and feelings. Sharing your emotions in a non-confrontational manner helps build trust and connection.
• Empathy is important. Make an effort to understand the other person’s feelings and point of view. You can show empathy by acknowledging their emotions and validating their experiences, even when they are different from yours.
• Your body also speaks. Pay attention to your body language and tone of voice. Make sure your nonverbal cues match your verbal communication.
• Respect the boundaries. Ask for consent before discussing sensitive topics and respect other people’s limitations. Healthy communication is built on mutual respect.

It is expected that even when someone uses all these tips regarding their communication, they still need to work on resolving conflicts. Conflicts are a natural part of any relationship, but just as we can manage our communication, we can also use some strategies to better work on their resolution.

• Stay calm. When conflict arises, stay as calm as possible. Take a break if you need to collect your thoughts and emotions before engaging in a discussion.
• Use “I” statements. Frame your concerns using “I feel hurt when…” instead of accusatory language like “You always…”. This approach is less likely to put the other person on the defensive.
• Seek common ground. Find shared interests and goals that both parties can agree on, which can help resolve differences more effectively.
• Be willing to meet in the middle. Compromise doesn’t mean sacrificing your needs entirely but finding solutions that work for both parties.
• Apology and forgiveness. It’s okay to admit when you’re wrong or hurt someone. Apologizing shows maturity and a willingness to repair the relationship. Similarly, be ready to forgive when the other person apologizes.

Remember that healthy relationships with others start with a healthy relationship with yourself. Ensure you treat yourself with the same kindness and understanding as you would offer to a friend or a loved one. Your boundaries are also essential to protect your mental health and emotional well-being, so if you need to, take a break. Ultimately, nurturing a healthy relationship with ourselves and others is necessary for a more harmonious and fulfilling life. However, building and maintaining these relationships is an ongoing journey, and it’s okay to seek guidance when needed.

Thank you for reading our November newsletter. We hope these insights help you pursue healthier and happier relationships. See you next month!