There are many benefits to having relationships including less stress, a healthier lifestyle, a greater sense of purpose in life, and even living a longer life due to the health benefits of having relationships.

In evaluating the last 16 months, I’ve experienced less in person connection than ever before in my adult life. I really had to be intentional about making connections, mostly virtual, to nurture the relationships I do have. It turned out that I had more quality in my interactions with people; I felt grateful for the ability to spend time with people. I no longer took these relationships for granted as I may have before the pandemic and the quarantine.

We need relationships to enjoy life. Relationships assist us with building resilience and overall health. These social connections are a critical part of our self-care because we are, after all, social animals. We need each other. So schedule plans to connect again after the close of a visit. Make the commitment to yourself and your relationships.

As researcher and author Brené Brown explains, “A deep sense of love and belonging is an irreducible need of all men, women, and children. We are biologically, cognitively, physically, and spiritually wired to love, to be loved, and to belong.”

What exactly does a healthy relationship look like?

• Communication is crucial – both talking/sharing and listening
• Having trust and being trustworthy are key
• Sharing quality time together
• Recalling important details of each other’s lives

Not only is this about making more time for relationships, it’s about being available and present. So take a look and ask yourself, what can you do today to invest in your relationships? Your health will thank you for it!

To take a deeper look into creating connections, contact your Ohio State Ohio State Employee Assistance Program (EAP) at 800-678-6265 or EAP@osumc.edu.

Join us for a 30-minute workshop on how to maintain and build relationships. Click here to register: Family & Friends: Building Successful Relationships
 

Reference: https://www.psychalive.org/healthy-relationships-matter/

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