Improve Relationships

Would you like to improve the relationships in your life? Would you like to get along better with a partner, friends, family or your coworkers? It is possible to do so, whether you’d like to strengthen already existent ties or if you’re new to the relationship.

Good relationships help prevent stressful situations from arising and can help you feel balanced.

Through my coaching services, I can help you identify defeating relationship and communication patterns. In addition, together we can pinpoint areas that can be improved upon leading to you feeling more confident in your environment.

We know that humans are social creatures and in general we seem to thrive in small and medium-sized groups. Even the loners out there typically have at least a few family members and friends in their close social circle. Knowing that we have evolved to have relationships, this means that we have to work hard on developing good relationships with those around us—our family, friends, lovers, coworkers and bosses.

Good relationships can help provide comfort and support when we need it. It is proven that those who have good relationships with others in their workplace and personal life tend to be happier than those who don’t.

Various studies have shown that relationships can have a tremendous effect on our overall health and wellbeing. Social connections make us feel not only happier but also physically healthier. Therefore, it is important that good relationship building is practiced in all aspects of our life.

There are many ways to improve relationships. Reflect on your previous relationships and habits around relationship building. As your coach, this is an exercise we can do together and talk about. Review the list and know it is important to determine if you are willing to:

1. Take the initiative to start conversations

2. Don’t make assumptions. If you aren’t sure, ask.

3. Recognize your biases and keep an open mind

4. Ask open ended questions and wait to listen to the responses

5. Offer to help without being asked

6. Be curious and learn about others’ experiences respectfully

7. Offer support in tough situations

8. Provide thoughtful feedback and not just opinions

9. Be open, honest, and fair

10. Respect boundaries including yours and as well as those around you

11. Be reliable and accountable, your work is your bond

12. Withhold criticism and avoid statements beginning with “you”

13. Allow yourself to be vulnerable

14. Be aware of your reactivity

In addition to this list, being socially aware helps you to understand and interact with other individuals in social situations with family, school, communities, and workplaces. Picking up on people’s cues can help you avoid missteps in communication. Empathy is a key component of social awareness and developing this skill can lead to greatly improved your quality of life when practiced regularly.

Sometimes our emotions get in the way and can disrupt a relationship. This is especially true when we are tired and stressed. In order to keep a discussion from escalating into an argument and to deal with the emotional outbursts of others, you need to be able to keep a level head. This means controlling your emotions. The good news is this is teachable. Through coaching we can determine what calming strategies work for you. With exercises like mindfulness and intentional breathing, you can get physical health benefits while learning to stay calm and breathe properly.

Sometimes simply walking away from a confrontation or taking a break when you get overloaded can help diffuse the situation. A walk around the block or run can help clear your head and release bottled up frustrations. In turn, endorphins are released, and emotional regulation can set in.

In order to keep your relationship strong, you need to actually spend time with people. This is easier said than done. Especially with the pandemic. In this modern day, often family and friends take a back seat to other obligations. With that said, you should definitely make the time to speak to your parents, visit relatives, or spend quality time with your partner and kids. You should pick up the phone and call your friends to check in on them. It is also a nice way for you to share what is going on in your life. Make sure you devote quality time to the people you love at least once a week and once a month for your extended family and friends. You can always video call and have a chat. You will feel more connected by doing so.

If you consistently have issues arise around relationships or you are in an unhappy relationship, consider calling me for a a coaching session. With a trained professional such as myself, you will learn to identify thought and patterns that may be getting in the way of you having quality relationships that you desire.