Summary:
- Quality connections matter more than quantity
-
Consider the purpose of your current relationships with the 7 keystones of support
- “Social Fitness” is exercising your relationships as you do your body
- Sustaining trusting, genuine relationships allow us to live longer and happier
Solutions/Shop:
How To Build Strong Relationships for Well-Being
Relationships are the pillars of our happiness. If you’ve ever wondered how to build strong relationships, it’s not just about having connections but the depth and quality of these bonds. When we feel genuinely valued and resonate with those around us, it fuels our well-being and enhances our mental health.
The Role of Social Fitness in Building Strong Relationships
Emotional energy, often underrated, emerges as a critical player in our life’s journey. What is the secret to maintaining this energy? Sustaining warm, trusting relationships and genuine, positive connections allow us to live longer and happier. Coined by two Harvard Psychology experts, this is where “social fitness” comes in. This is the idea that we need to exercise our human connections, just as we do our physical bodies, not just to extend lifespan but to enhance its quality. Prioritizing social support is essential for maintaining mental health and relationships.
Read more here: How to Keep Friendships Thriving…, Strong Connections are Vital for Health and Longevity…, Building Strong Partnerships in Life
If you’ve ever wondered how to be truly content, it’s not just about having connections but the depth and quality of these bonds.
7 Key Foundations for Building Strong Relationships
Are you putting your time into making your connections thrive? What relationships should you be putting your energy into? Marc Shulz and Robert Waldinger, Harvard psychology experts, explore seven keystones that are essential to learning how to build strong relationships and cultivate social support.
- Safety and security: An unforeseen crisis happens, who are you calling? You feel scared, alone, and confused, who in your life can you reach out to for support?
- Learning and growth: Who in your life pushes you to strive for more, try new things, and create space for you to grow as a person?
- Emotional closeness and confiding: Your deepest thoughts and feelings, unabashed, unfiltered- who can you share your truest self with, even at your lowest?
- Identity affirmation and shared experience: The good and the bad, who in your life have you shared events and experiences with, that reminds you of who you are?
- Romantic intimacy: Where do you get your romantic intimacy from?
- Help (both informational and practical): Car trouble, confusion about taxes, which haircut will look better, what is the easiest way to save money? These everyday issues that seem trivial really show who you can turn to when you need some problem-solving and advice.
- Fun and relaxation: If you want to take a stroll down the beach, head to the fair, make plans for a trip, go shopping, or see a movie, who are you reaching out to feel content and joyous?
Try: We’re Not Really Strangers, Deep Conversation Cards for Couples
Book: The Joy of Intimacy, Partnering: Forge Deep Connections
How Strong Relationships Support Mental Health
Each relationship in your life serves a different purpose and provides less or more support in these seven different areas. It is important to recognize where you are getting each of these valuable essentials. Just as we need essential vitamins and minerals to enhance our quality of life, we need these seven essential components of human connection to live longer and fuller.
Looking inward, which of these areas do you want support in but don’t currently have? This is an indicator to explore deeper into existing relationships to gain what you need or reach out and expand your connections to gain fuller social support. Prioritizing mental health and relationships can have a profound impact on your emotional well-being and happiness.
Takeaways
To learn more about “social fitness” and where this research came from, check out The Good Life and more about Shulz and Waldinger here.
WE'RE NOT REALLY STRANGERS
150 Cards * 3 Levels of Questions * 2-Players * Ages 15+
THE AND
Couples Edition * 199 Questions * Build Connection * Perfect Gift
This article provides general information and discussions about health and related subjects. The information and other content provided in this blog, or in any linked materials, are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice, nor is the information a substitute for professional medical expertise or treatment.
