Top 5 Ways to Build Emotionally Healthy Relationships
Sep 29, 2023
Imagine: it's the end of 2023, and you're toasting to the incoming new year. And then… 2024 hits.
Of course, we all had to experience that—and in no way could we have ever understood just what the oncoming year would mean. The word “quarantine” was a faraway expression we only came across in zombie video games. All at once, we were sucked into an unfamiliar world.
With all these new things, how can you feel secure in the face of uncertainty?
The answer is to use what you already have within you to be a growth-owner! By pausing and thinking about how you can use this time as a blessing rather than a curse, you're already building positive momentum.
What Makes Emotionally Healthy Relationships?
We all know that communication, trust, and respect are important, but what else? Regarding a lasting, fulfilling relationship, four key ingredients are the core of what keeps couples happy together.
If you want to build a rock-solid relationship with your partner, make sure you have these four things:
Friendship
A strong friendship is the foundation of any good relationship. If you and your partner are friends first, you can weather any storm that comes your way. Friendship also means being able to be yourself around your partner and feeling comfortable doing so. This also helps one understand how to build deeper connections.
Fun
Life can get pretty serious, so it's important to ensure you're still having fun with your partner. Whether it's taking a dance class together or just goofing around at home, make sure you're keeping the spark alive.
Romance
No matter how long you've been together, it's important to keep the romance alive. Plan special date nights, write love notes, or just do something that makes your partner feel loved.
Mutual Respect
Without mutual respect, it's impossible to have a healthy relationship. That doesn't mean you have to agree on everything, but it does mean that you must be able to discuss things openly and honestly without fear of judgment or criticism. Another important aspect of mutual respect is to avoid keeping score otherwise you will ultimately lose respect.
If you want to build a rock-solid relationship, make sure you have these four key ingredients in place. Friendship, fun, romance, and mutual respect are the foundation of any lasting, happy relationship.
So, How Can You Create a Solid Relationship?
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us got the opportunity to be with our families in a brand new way.
The first part of building emotionally healthy relationships with your loved ones is to use this time to nourish those bonds. Use the hours you would've spent out doing things to reconnect with your family!
Failure habits can overwhelm you easily, especially in hard times like these. That's why it's so important that you concentrate on building up your relationship instead of tearing it down.
To maintain a solid relationship, you've got to make time to be with those you love. Find ways to take activities you used to do solo, like exercise, and do them with your family instead! For example: going for a run together or swimming. You can even take romance to the next level by having an at-home date night.
No matter what you choose to do, know that it WILL make a difference! The ones you love will remember these times as fond memories, and they'll be grateful because of it. If you show them you care, they will reciprocate that.
This only works to elevate your positive momentum and build a healthy, solid relationship. Are you struggling to find something to bring you and your family together? Here are some ideas to get you started.
Don't live with your loved ones? Well, you can still be proactive with your time to strengthen those bonds!
Gamify your life using your tech to take your connections to the next level. If you can't be with your family in person, try doing a group video call. Just checking in through call or text will let your family and friends know that you really care about having a solid relationship.
Let's review the 5 things that'll pave the way for building solid relationships:
Use the present as an opportunity rather than a bad omen. There's no time like the present, so let's get active.
Set aside time. Making time for those you care about shows you love and appreciate them!
Find fun activities to do while keeping safe. It's hard to do some activities due to the pandemic, but there are still so many ways to bond with your family safely.
Gamify your life! Reach out to those not close to home to show them you want to stay in touch.
Stay positive. At a time like this, the only way to build up positive momentum is by not giving in to failure habits and thought processes. You've got this!
The pandemic has made it hard for all of us to function normally. I want to take a moment to thank all the doctors, nurses, first responders, postal workers, and many others who are the backbone of society. Thank you so much for your dedication and bravery; you are the reason the world keeps on turning.
Emotionally Healthy Relationships: How Will it Benefit You?
Creating emotionally healthy relationships is not just about improving your personal life; it also has many benefits that can positively impact various areas of your life.
Here are the key advantages of nurturing emotionally healthy relationships:
Enhanced Well-being and Happiness - Emotionally healthy relationships provide a strong support system, leading to increased happiness and overall well-being. Building close connections with others reduces feelings of isolation and loneliness. It also improves your mind wellness and emotional wellness.
Improved Mental and Emotional Resilience - Strong relationships offer a safe space to express your thoughts and emotions, helping you cope with stress and challenges better. Being understood and supported by loved ones boosts your ability to bounce back from setbacks.
Strengthened Personal Growth - Emotionally healthy relationships encourage open communication and honest feedback, fostering personal development and self-awareness. Constructive interactions with others challenge you to learn and adapt, leading to continuous development. It also helps you in finding joy when life is hard.
Heightened Conflict Resolution Skills - In healthy relationships, you learn to address conflicts in a respectful and constructive manner. Developing conflict resolution skills improves communication and prevents long-term damage to relationships.
Positive Impact on Physical Health - Engaging in emotionally fulfilling relationships can reduce stress levels, benefiting physical health. Emotional support from loved ones has been linked to better cardiovascular health and a stronger immune system. You are also able to achieve your health goals.
Emotionally Healthy Discipleship: Transformative Growth
Emotionally healthy discipleship is not only about building strong relationships with others but also about nurturing your own spiritual and emotional growth. Here's how it can lead to transformative change:
Deepened Spiritual Connection - Emotionally healthy discipleship helps you integrate emotional well-being with your spiritual journey. Understanding your emotions and addressing inner struggles can lead to a deeper connection with your faith.
Holistic Approach to Faith - Emotionally healthy discipleship recognises that spiritual growth involves emotional maturity. By addressing emotional wounds and patterns, you can experience a more authentic and holistic faith.
Impact on Church Leadership - Church leaders prioritising emotionally healthy discipleship set an example for their congregation. Emotionally healthy leaders create an environment where individuals can thrive spiritually and emotionally.
One Last Tip
This week I challenge you to think up at least 3 different ways to build positive momentum. Implement these into your everyday life, and you'll have a solid relationship core in no time.
For example: sit down with your partner for an hour without interruptions. Getting in touch with each other's emotions is especially important in such a tumultuous time.
If you don't have a partner or currently live by yourself, I challenge you to come up with a list of 3 people you haven't talked to in a while and would like to reconnect with. Now do it! Call those people up or send them a text. Just by doing this, you'll be creating new links to lasting, solid relationships.