One Simple Step To Dramatically Boost Your Health and Happiness
How are you? How was your week? We hope you are well!
This week, we wanted to share with you a very simple, but incredibly important skill to bring greater joy, hope, happiness, and purpose to your day and life.
According to researchers, what is the source that generates the most power and energy to live well and be happy? If you guessed “healthy relationships” you’d be correct!
In fact, according to medical scientists, the three relational sources which influence your physical health more than anything else are; Love, intimacy, and friendship. You mean it’s not our diet? It’s not our exercise? It’s not how we handle stress? But rather, it’s how connected we are that has demonstrated to have the greatest impact on our emotional, spiritual, and yes, even our physical health. The latest scientific research has uncovered when we are isolated or disconnected from important life-giving sources, such as close and intimate friendships, our health and fitness suffers.
So what’s a simple step we can take this week to strengthen our relationships?
This week, let’s challenge one another to practice the “skill” to “Listen Well”.
When is the last time you really “listened”? Before you answer this question, consider the difference between the definitions for “hearing” and “listening”.
“Hearing” is the natural physical act of perceiving sound and “listening” is the intentional act of concentrating so that the brain processes words and sentences.”
If you'd like to strengthen your “connection muscles” and dramatically improve your relationships this week, “listening well” is the one skill that can significantly improve your relationships and ability to connect.
Developing good listening skills in your relationships is vital to enhancing your connections as well as your happiness and the happiness of others. This week when meeting with someone, or going for a walk, practice your listening skills by:
- Asking others how they are feeling
- Reflect and repeat back your understanding of what is said
- Avoid giving advice (unless asked)
- Ask them to expand on what they are feeling
- Keep the conversation on the one you are speaking with (be careful not to turn it back to yourself)
This week, let’s encourage one another to “listen well” and be present for those closest to us. We’d love to hear from you this week on how this simple step impacts your relationships!
Wishing you a very blessed week as we all RISE Together!
