“Your relationship with yourself sets the tone for every relationship you have.”
-Robert Holden
Relationships are central to human connection. We find ourselves in various kind of relationships with people all around us. As social beings, it then becomes essential to build healthy relationships. Let us take a moment to understand what one values in a relationship. When we take some time to think about it, we allow ourselves to look within and examine our own needs. For instance, I personally value mutual respect, empathy, understanding, trust, and love. For these, it is essential to be self-aware and to communicate mindfully with others.
We often find ourselves in situations where we feel that if we had paused for a moment, we might have reacted differently. Relationships, in part, are based on the way we communicate with other people and the recognition of our own and the other person’s needs. Mindfulness helps us do this by purposefully bringing our attention to the present moment. Various practices, such as noticing our thoughts and emotions, becoming aware of bodily sensations and relating them to our feelings, and focusing on one’s breath, help us ground ourselves in the here and now.
Regular practice of mindfulness helps reduce emotional reactivity. This is because these practices help us make space between the stimulus and the response. Mindfulness enables us to pause and assess our feelings, and helps us to respond rather than react. All of us have certain things that may trigger some feelings for us. For example, coming home to a messy house or hearing someone speak to us in a particular tone may cause us to react negatively. When we have insight into our feelings and our triggers, we are able to step away and give ourselves time to process and deal with the situation in a more constructive manner. In the situations mentioned above, one may take some time for deep breathing, and then communicate with other people in a more favourable way. Self-awareness brought on by mindful practices also helps us regulate our tone and body language in stressful situations that may otherwise lead to conflict. This helps maintain a peaceful environment by enabling us to choose our response in a way that promotes growth.
In addition to communication, mindfulness also promotes active listening. Through non-judgemental observation of our own thoughts and feelings, we create an atmosphere of compassion within. This helps us be more present and empathetic when other people convey their emotions. Mindfulness also brings to the forefront everyday wonders that we may miss otherwise. Small habits and actions that convey love and care become more apparent and noticeable. This helps us cherish the beauty of human connection and realise what we are grateful for in our lives. This gratitude extends to our relationships with others, creating an environment in which we appreciate and value those around us.
“The roots of a lasting relationship are mindfulness, deep listening, and loving speech.”
-Thich Nhat Hanh
Respect, listening without being judgmental , empathy is must for every relationship
Absolutely right Dr. Rekha! Respect, non-judgmental listening and empathy are the foundation of mindful relationships. They foster understanding, trust, and deeper connections with others, enriching our lives deeply.
The blog beautifully starts with a quote on valuing ourselves and building a relationship with oneself. Then in a systematic manner helps us delve deeper in building and sustaining cherished bonds. Waiting for your next blog.
Thank you so much for your kind words and for appreciating the blog! It’s heartwarming to know that you found the content valuable.
Ma’am, thank you for sharing.
I liked this article. It is essential to be self aware and to communicate mindfully with others . Regular practice of mindfulness reduces emotional reactivity. We should appreciate and value those around us. Very true.
Thank you Dr. Madhu for your thoughtful comment! I’m glad that the article resonates with you. Indeed, self-awareness and mindful communication are powerful tools for nurturing meaningful relationships. Your appreciation for valuing those around us is spot on.
Students are lucky to receive such a rich content required for their holistic development.
Thanks for your appreciation! I believe that it is important to nurture the young minds with meaningful content so that they are well equipped to face the challenges of the real world.
Beautifully written! Mindfulness is such an important practice which truly helps us experience our lives.
Your appreciation means a lot Shreya! Mindfulness is indeed a powerful practice that can enrich our lives in countless ways.
So true ma’am , Mindfulness creates an atmosphere of compassion and I would love to be with this feeling.
Absolutely! Mindfulness has a remarkable way of nurturing compassion within us. It’s such a beautiful feeling to be with! I am glad that you are practicing and benefiting from it.
Thank you ma’am for sharing your insights on a profound topic. Mindfulness is such a simple, yet powerful practice that helps us lead a happier and more contended life!
I am glad you liked the post Mamta.
very powerful and helpful post.
Thankyou!
Mindfulness always helps. In relationships, what others make me feel is what matters the most to me.
I really liked your post, simple, crisp and effective.
thank you for sharing.
I am happy you liked the post Renu!
Dear Maam
Applying mindfulness in day to day life is really very useful.I am using mindful listening and mindful eating.It is very helpful.Thank you maam for sharing the beautiful article.
Its a pleasure to know that this article of mine has been beneficial to you especially in the choice of food you make.
Thank you so much ma’am. Sometimes we forget that we also need to be mindful about what people tell us and not brush it aside making ourselves uncomfortable. Very true we must be mindful of our own thoughts.
Absolutely Lakshmi! Being mindful of our surroundings and managing our thoughts accordingly can have a great impact.
What a beautiful blog to prepare us mindfully what to communicate and when to communicate empathetically keeping yourself into the shoes of others and communicating without being judgemental is the key to relationship. A must read for all…Wellness Wise by Dr. Alka makes me more mindful with each blog posted here…
I am glad you found the article interesting and helpful.
Being mindful in our communication goes a long way in building healthy relationships.