Relationship: 5 Secret Importance Of Relationships In Our Life

Introduction

All our lives, we are surrounded by people. Some of those people we are close to, some are just people we know, and some we will never know in our lifetime. The people who we become close to are those we call ‘Relationships.’ We all want to have secure and healthy relationships rather than insecure and unhealthy ones. Secure and healthy relationships help us grow personally and professionally.

“Do what you can to show you care about other people, and you will make our world a better place.” – Rosalynn Carter [1]

Why Are Relationships Important For Us?

Have you ever thought about what our life would be if we didn’t have our family, friends, or colleagues in our life? Personally, I feel I would not be where we are. My friends and family mean the world to me.

Relationships play a very important role in our lives. They help us with our emotional and mental well-being through trust, support, love, and a sense of belonging. If we have strong and healthy relationships around us, I feel that we can overcome any challenge life has to throw at us. In fact, we tend to have a longer and happier life as well. Even relationships that are toxic in nature are important for us to learn some lessons and become better human beings.

Work relationships are vital as well. Like I used to have a work friend who helped me through a lot of ups and downs during my journey in my job. That way, my performance got better, and I was more positive at work with better job satisfaction. She even helped me find better opportunities.

Just to give you an example, you would have seen the TV series ‘This Is Us.’ The show is all about relationships. The show tells us that even if our family and friends are not perfect, they are important to support us and give us a reality check as well, even if we don’t like it.

How Do Relationships Affect Our Daily Life?

Every kind of relationship is important for us to lead better, fulfilling lives [2]:

1. Emotional Support: Every day is a new day, which means that every day can bring a new challenge. Imagine if you had to do everything alone, without support, and without anyone to talk to or share your emotions with. Would you be able to face the challenges with the right mindset? No, it would be difficult. That’s the role relationships play. They help us fight the challenges and provide us with emotional support as well.
2. Health: When we are alone, our mind can go into self-talk mode, and most often, we talk negatively to ourselves, which can impact our physical and mental health. If we have positive relationships around us, they will make us think positively and lower the risks of chronic diseases, like diabetes and hypertension, and even mental health concerns like stress, anxiety, and depression.
3. Productivity: Friends and family who have a positive attitude can push us and motivate us to a point where we achieve targets and become more productive. Sometimes, my friends and I used to give each other targets that, within one hour, we should complete a particular task. That way, not only did I feel supported but also valued. This push made me want to work more toward my goals.
4. Self-Esteem: People influence the way we talk, the way we walk, the food we eat, the music we listen to, etc. If we have positive relationships, then the changes will also be positive, increasing our self-esteem and confidence.
5. Happiness: Happy relationships will spread happiness even in your life. That’s the mantra I look at relationships with. When we are with our loved ones, we feel everything is possible, and we can conquer the world. Such thoughts and feelings bring joy and contentment.

What Are Some Essential Tips for A Good Relationship?

It is easy to build and maintain good relationships. It might take time and effort, but at the end of the day, its all worth it [3]:

1. Communication: My grandmother used to say, “Talking solves everything. So, learn to talk and share your feelings.” However, now I know that while talking about your feelings is important, it is more important to be a good listener. When we listen, we understand the person and the problems better. Doing this can help build strong relationships.
2. Respect: I think politeness and kindness are essential in building a relationship. People who we respect, the bond with them is automatically strong. Having said that, it doesn’t mean that we will not have differences of opinion. It simply means that despite differences of opinion, we will still hold the relationship more valuable. It creates a safe and supportive space for each other to grow.
3. Empathy: ‘Empathy’ is our ability to imagine what a person must be going through and understand their feelings. Through empathy, we can be more sensitive toward the needs of the people we love and support them through the problems or challenges they might be facing.
4. Trust: Trust does not get built in a day. It takes time and effort. However, it’s also possible that we can be with someone for years yet not trust them. Trust comes through respect and respect. When we say we trust someone, we also know that whatever we tell them will remain only to them and that they will keep their promises.
5. Compromise: You might have heard people say, “You do you; the world will adjust.” While it’s important to be yourself, it’s also important to give people the space to adjust, and for that, both people might have to compromise on certain factors. We can’t say that it’s my way or the highway. We have to reach a middle ground where everyone is ok with the solutions. Doing so will help maintain your values and boundaries in the relationship.
6. Quality Time: The more time we spend with those we love, the more we know them. My loved ones and I have made a pact that, come what may, every week, we will take out time where it’s just us-time and no work, no other engagements can hamper that time. With that, our bonding has gotten stronger, and there’s more trust in our relationship.
7. Forgiveness: We all make mistakes, and that’s the universal truth. However, when we forgive a person, it’s more for us than for the other person. Forgiveness gives us the scope to let go of anger and resentment and move forward in life. Sometimes it’s also important to forgive to show that you value the relationship over the mistake.

How To Deal With A Difficult Relationship?

Once in a while, challenging and toxic relationships might enter our lives. However, it is possible to deal with them as well [4]:

1. Identify the Issue: Recognizing that there is a problem is the first step to tackling the problem. To recognize and identify the problem more clearly, it is important to be specific and transparent while describing it. For example, let’s say you have a problem with your spouse not giving time to the family, then be clear and specific that on what occasions you have felt that way.
2. Communicate Effectively: Once you have identified the issues, having a respectful conversation is essential. You need to express yourself calmly without blaming and attacking the other person. You can’t use language like, “You always do this” or “You always say this.” You need to keep doors open for conversation to flow politely.
3. Set Boundaries: The next step is to tell what works for you and what does not. Being firm about it can make you hold yourself and others accountable. For example, if the family demands more time from you, tell them that your work is also a priority for you.
4. Find Common Ground: Coming halfway is a way to help keep the relationship going. Figure out the common factors and solutions you can work on so that both people’s needs get fulfilled, even if one or both of you have to adjust and compromise. For example, let’s say you cannot give more than 1 hour a day to the family, then stick to that limit. Family members can then try adjusting without complaining.
5. Seek Support: Sometimes, taking a third person’s advice can help save the relationship. You can talk to another family member or some trusted friends. If not, then try taking professional help. United We Care is one such platform that can help you.
6. Take Care of Yourself: While dealing with the problems and challenges of a relationship, give yourself the space to think things through. You can even go for self-care activities like exercising, going to the spa, getting enough sleep, etc.
7. Consider Ending the Relationship: If worse comes to worst and you cannot do anything further to save the relationship, it is better to let go. I know that can be painful, but it’s better to end things rather than cause more and more harm to yourself.

Conclusion

Surrounding ourselves with people we love is essential. Having people who we love and trust can boost our physical and mental health. Such relationships can help us find a purpose in our lives and give us the space and guidance to grow into beautiful, caring, and kind human beings. However, if a relationship turns toxic, it is also important to learn to let go.

If you are facing any relationship concerns, you can reach out to our expert relationship counselors or explore more content at United We Care! At United We Care, a team of wellness and mental health experts will guide you with the best methods for well-being.

References

[1] L. C. Hawkley and J. T. Cacioppo, “Loneliness Matters: A Theoretical and Empirical Review of Consequences and Mechanisms,” Annals of Behavioral Medicine, vol. 40, no. 2, pp. 218–227, Jul. 2010, doi: 10.1007/s12160-010-9210-8.

[2] M. Zola, “Why Are Personal Relationships Important? – Eugene Therapy,” Why Are Personal Relationships Important? – Eugene Therapy, Dec. 16, 2021. https://eugenetherapy.com/article/why-are-personal-relationships-important-3/

[3] “Top tips on building and maintaining healthy relationships,” Mental Health Foundation. https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/our-work/public-engagement/healthy-relationships/top-tips-building-and-maintaining-healthy-relationships

[4] E. Barker, “Difficult Relationships: 5 Easy Ways To Improve Them, Backed By Research – Barking Up The Wrong Tree,” Barking Up The Wrong Tree, Oct. 04, 2015. https://bakadesuyo.com/2015/10/difficult-relationships/