Research shows healthy relationships can strengthen your immune system, allow you to live longer and make you more resilient to stress. We asked our partner Dr. Rachel Goldman, Ph.D, FTOS, a licensed psychologist in NYC who specializes in health and wellness, for her tips on nurturing strong relationships. Her advice includes:
- Communication is key. It allows us to share our feelings and expectations. ”No one is a mind reader, and we need to remember that. Others are not going to know what we are thinking unless we share it,” said Dr. Rachel.
- Remember: it takes two. Maintaining a strong relationship can sometimes take work. It’s important to remember to take an active role in the relationship. “With any relationship, you have two people, and each person needs to be involved and invested in order to make it work,” she said.
- Show empathy. Not every relationship serves the same purpose but if you’re looking to build a strong relationship, show empathy. “Model the behaviors you hope to receive from others, and that includes showing how you emphasize with others and support yourself,” said Dr. Rachel.
- Be open. It’s important that people are open and honest with each other. As Dr. Rachel reminded us, “a good relationship is built on trust and honesty.”
Let us know how you nurture strong relationships in the comments!
