Connection from friends, family and partners is not only good, it is also very important, living healthy every day.
A 2023 Meta-Gallup survey found that 1 in 4 adults around the world reported feeling very or quite lonely.
US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy said in November “Loneliness lurks in the shadows; it may not be seen or recognized, but long-term loneliness causes health problems.” physically and mentally”.
Loneliness causes illness, so lonely people need help, now and strong relationships are the solution.
According to a March 2023 study, positive social experiences not only influence a person’s stress levels and ability to cope, but are also markers of physical health.
Sometimes it can seem difficult for a person to expand their connections, but here are 5 meaningful steps you can take to make it happen in 2024.
Connecting, meeting, friends, and family help you reduce feelings of loneliness. Photo: Unsplash
1. Start small
Adam Smiley Poswolsky, author of “Friendship in a Lonely Age” said in a previous CNN article, whether making new friends, or starting to meet, you should start small.
That means you can text someone once a week, meet someone new every month, or plan regular social outings.
“Make a list of five people in your life that you care about and call one of them,” Poswolsky added. “Friendship often begins with the smallest moments of connection.”
Research shows that it takes 90 hours together to consider someone a friend and more than 200 hours to consider them a close friend with whom you have an emotional connection, Poswolsky said.
“In our busy world, we need to document our friendships and commit to recurring activities,” Poswolsky added.
2. Set boundaries
Believe it or not, connecting with others is better if you set clear boundaries.
“It’s not just about conflict and stopping bad people. It’s also about preserving the relationships you value,” says Kami Orange, a coach in southern Utah.
Boundaries are the communication of your needs, wants and expectations, and you may need to set boundaries with others about your needs when it comes to personal space or maintaining your relationship with others. parents by setting boundaries about what you expect of them.
“A good boundary is clear and concise,” says Nedra Glover Tawwab, a therapist based in Charlotte, North Carolina. “I think we often say a lot of words but still aren’t clear about what we want,” says Nedra Glover Tawwab, a therapist based in Charlotte, North Carolina. Be clear. What you need will be more beneficial in a relationship.”
3. Learn about yourself
Do you know how attached you are to others? Or how close are your loved ones to you? Answers to those questions can help strengthen your relationship.
First developed by psychoanalyst John Bowlby in the 1950s, attachment style describes how people function in relationships when it comes to closeness, intimacy, and potential threats. .
There are four styles: avoidant, anxious, disorganized, and secure.
According to research, knowing about these styles can help in your relationships with friends, family, colleagues and partners…
4. Learn how to conflict
According to a previous CNN article, conflict can be healthy, and problem solving can bring you closer together.
Social psychologist David W. Johnson has studied conflict and named five archetypes of how people tend to resolve conflicts interpersonally: turtles, sharks, teddy bears, foxes, and owls.
For example, turtles tend to retreat, while sharks vigorously defend their targets and owls see conflict as a problem to be solved. Foxes tend to compromise and teddy bears sacrifice to keep the peace.
Knowing your attachment and conflict style can help you understand and approach conflict, thereby helping you resolve it intelligently and harmoniously.
5. Show gratitude
A simple “thank you” can go a long way in a relationship.
Research from 2023 shows that couples who consistently express gratitude to each other when they feel it increase their time together by more than an hour a day.
Express gratitude honestly.
