Socio-Environmental: Relationships
This week's blog post and tid bits are about CCHS’s socio-environmental pillar. We’ll cover why this pillar is important to everyone, what it’s about, and how to take action on altering it so that you can improve your quality of life.
Relationships
Relationships come in more styles than just facebook notifications. Different types of relationships should be identified so that you can better assess if they are serving your happiness and goals. The key relationship areas that you have are with yourself, your romantic relationships, your close network such as family and friends, and your relationship with the communities that you’re involved in. Each area fulfills a different part of your life satisfaction and each area should be assessed to see if you can take steps to improve them.
For yourself, take time each day for any form of self care that allows you to build a sense of self and to be comfortable in your own mind. This could be journaling, creating music, exercise, mediating, sitting quietly or whatever else makes you happy on your own. If you don’t currently make time for this, try to make just 10 minutes a day and see if it’s helpful.
For romantic relationships, I’ll spare you a lecture on romance. I will encourage you however to block out and make time for your romantic partner if you have one. Taking time each day to let your significant other know that you are thinking about them or showing them appreciation through their love language is a great way to foster this relationship.
For close friends and family, I consider this area a glass ball among the many areas of life that are bouncy balls. If you drop your work or play they can bounce back, but relationships can be more difficult to recover if broken and should be treated accordingly. While family ties can be close, it is easy as a result to neglect and take for granted your relationships with the ones you love most. Take time each week at least to be in contact with those that are closest to you and show them appreciation in the way that they appreciate it. My family prefers words of affirmation for example. Also don’t be afraid to initiate new family traditions or get togethers than just the holidays.
Lastly we have communal relationships. These are the communities you are a part of such as your work, church, running team, or underwater basket weaving club. While some of the above relationships may not be easy to create, this is one that can be more easily moulded. If you assess your communal relationships and find that you are feeling lonely because you aren't a part of something bigger, reach out and join or create something! An example could be a local community health group through CCHS where you all get outside and active together, you could join a local dance group, or create a book club. There are endless ideas but pick one that brings you joy.
But Really, Why?
But how do these things really affect your life? One study discovered that weak relationships resulted in a 50% increase in early death when compared to individuals with strong relationships. In other words, being lonely not only makes you unhappy, it literally kills you. Even worse, the more isolated you feel the more likely you are to feel afraid to reach out to create more healthy relationships. Having a deep sense of connection is a key indicator of personal resiliency. In short, your strong support network makes you a stronger person.
In summary, take time today to foster the big 4 relationship areas in your life to improve your happiness and don’t wait to address any sense of loneliness that you may be feeling. In any case, CCHS is here to support you as you Defy The Odds!