How to create more mindful happy relationships

Our close relationships contribute immensely to how positive and happy we feel about our lives. Since I started my journey into a mindful and more joyful life, I realized the importance of investing in my relationships.

I call it an investment because when I take time to nurture my relationships, I’m contributing to my emotional and psychological wealth. My wellbeing is connected to the quality and strength of my personal and social connections.

Investing in transforming a good relationship into a great one goes beyond just the connection. Secure relationships help with resilience, confidence, emotional regulation, and overcoming mental problems.

Today I want to move you to look closely at your significant relationships and dive deeply into making them more supportive and healthier.

Here are three simple tips that you can start today to bring more happiness and resilience to your life by investing in your relationships.

Become a fantastic listener

Stop trying to solve, change, and find solutions when your significant other is sharing something with you. Hold your tongue and control yourself when it comes to sharing your opinions about everything. Listen with a sense of curiosity and not with the intention of replying.

Be patient

Only respond when you know the other person wants you to respond. Hold on to sharing any feedback or solution until the other person asks you for them. Limit your response to the specific situation that the person is sharing with you at the moment. Do not bring criticism and judgments from the past into the conversation. Focus on the here and now.

Mindful and kind attention

If you have a hard time keeping your mouth shut or feel emotional and reactive, stop yourself from talking. Bring mindfulness and breathe as you listen. You can bring your attention to your inhalation and exhalation as you keep listening. Ensure that you are calm before you reply to your significant other. Always try to speak from a mind that feels calm, kind, and supportive. Do not talk from past judgment and criticism.

One quote

“Listen with curiosity. The greatest problem with communication is we don’t listen to understand. We listen to reply. When we listen with curiosity, we don’t listen with the intent to reply. We listen for what’s behind the words.”
― Roy T. Bennett

One question

What are you going to do to create happier and healthier relationships?