People are social creatures. Of course, there are many times that we crave silence and quality alone time–the opportunity to disconnect. But overall, social interactions with our friends, family, work colleagues, and romantic partners are essential to our well-being, mental health outcomes, and growth.
In fact, a recent study from the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships cites, “In general, individuals who have more social interaction, engage in more vulnerable self-disclosure, and perceive greater responsiveness from others are less lonely and depressed,” Yes. Research supports that having meaningful connections supports your emotional and mental health.
So where do you go to create these meaningful connections? How do you find people to forge lasting bonds with? But most importantly, what can you do to build meaningful connections in your life? The good news is these connections come together in many different environments with all sorts of people. If you haven’t tried them already, consider these five different strategies to help you form safe, compassionate, healthy relationships in your life.
Active listening
Being an active listener isn’t just hearing the person you’re talking to. Active listening requires you to engage in the conversation. Asking questions, clarifying by paraphrasing, and reflecting on what was being discussed, demonstrates you are invested in what they have to say.
Be open and receptive to new connections
No matter if it’s in a social situation, at work, or in any new relationship, putting yourself out there can be a scary thing–especially if you’ve experienced toxic connections before. “Although safety and trust are often needed to feel comfortable enough sharing feelings or personal info with others, the opposite is also true,” Brian Levkovich, a Postdoctoral therapist with Let’s Talk Psychological Wellness P.C., shared. “This type of sharing, in the first place, may even lead to a sense of safety and trust,” he added.
Set boundaries (For yourself and your new connections)
This strategy is especially important for people who have experienced unhealthy, or even abusive relationships. Setting boundaries will look different for everyone, but keeping this top of mind from the get-go helps you identify the connections that are good for you and those you could do without.
For example, if you set boundaries within your relationship that maintain your autonomy and the other person asserts control where you asked them not to–that’s going to be a red flag. But red flags, or things that go wrong, aren’t the only behaviors you should pay attention to. When the connection is consistent, respectful, compassionate, and makes you feel good–that’s also a green flag worth celebrating.
Develop and improve your emotional intelligence
Emotional intelligence is rooted in empathy, understanding, and the ability to manage your feelings–yes, even those really hard ones. When you are able to understand other people on an emotional level, you’ll form a deeper connection. It’s not to say that you’ll always agree with the people in your life, but being able to see their point of view builds trust and mutual respect.
Redefine friendships and relationships
You know what they say–quality over quantity, and yes, this applies to the relationships you choose to invest in. Not every acquaintance will blossom into a quality connection. And having ‘a lot’ of friends doesn’t mean anything if these friendships are convenient.
It may take time to define what a healthy relationship feels like to you. Understanding when and how much you share with new people in your life can be scary, but is worthwhile. Levkovich supports this approach, “Completely and totally withholding all vulnerable aspects of ourselves will likely lead to greater difficulty connecting with people on a deeper level — something we all deserve”.
Our therapists here at Let’s Talk Psychological Wellness are committed to helping you build healthy, fulfilling connections. Learn how to manage the stress and anxiety that comes with financial concerns and job security. Call, text, or email us.
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