Given the choice, most people want to be in healthy relationships and therefore want to create habits of healthy relationships. Healthy, happy relationships are the foundation for our mental health, personal satisfaction, and our esteem. The better our relationships are, the healthier we are. These are habits that can improve your life. It’s that simple. In the same way, we can boost our physical health one small habit at a time, we can also boost our mental health one small relationship habit at a time.
Relationships Require Effort
There’s nothing better than experiencing an effortless connection with someone. Finding people who click with your personality, morals, values, and interests feels amazing. Even the most compatible relationships require effort, it takes time and energy to keep relationships interesting and healthy.
Life gets busy, and sometimes our relationships suffer. Finding the time to invest in relationships and stay connected is often in jeopardy as schedules fill up and more demands take up our time. That’s why small habits can help strengthen relationships so they can withstand the natural ups and downs of life. It also helps you to get the expected life you want to live.
Small Habits of Healthy Relationship
It’s not healthy to be all things to all people. In fact, giving too much in a relationship can lead to co-dependency which isn’t healthy at all. Even parents and children need healthy balances between them, but there are small things that can strengthen relationships and make them better. As follows are habits that can improve your life.
Here are some ideas-
Relationship micro habit: Pay attention to the five love languages– Gary Chapman, author of The Five Love Languages, suggests that people give and receive love in one of five ways-
- Gifts
- Acts of service
- Touch
- Words of affirmation
- Personal time
Learning the love language of the people you’re closest to can help you strengthen your relationships in meaningful ways.
Relationship micro habit: Share a meal – Ever hear of the term breaking bread? That refers to coming together for a meal, which in ancient times was a gesture of friendship. The act of sharing a meal with people you care about creates the opportunity for quality time, laughter, and connection without distraction. Make time to go to dinner or host dinner with the people you want to create strong bonds with.
Relationship micro habit: Learn to listen – Being a good listener is harder than you may think. In fact, learning to actively listen is one of the best things you can do to strengthen relationships. Good listening requires reading non-verbal communication, asking questions, and letting the person you’re with know you’ve heard them. Great listening skills strengthen relationships and make communication incredibly easy.
Relationship micro habit: Be honest – Be fully honest with your thoughts and your feelings. Remember your partner cannot read your mind. They do not know what you are thinking or feeling about matters. It is important to be able to fully listen and then respond honestly. Ensure that when you communicate you communicate from a healthy place, one that is free from blame, shame, or finger-pointing but one that is open, honest, and caring.
There are plenty of ways to make the people closest to you feel important. Develop micro habits that build strong relationships that withstand the test of time. If you are interested in working through some of your relationship stressors please check out some of our online relationship courses.