Nurture Your Relationships

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family walking in the park

Relationships aren't static—they are living, dynamic aspects of our lives that require attention and care. In order to benefit from strong connections with others, you should take charge of your relationships and put in the time and energy you would any other aspect of your wellbeing. 

Connect with your family

One of the biggest challenges for families to stay connected is the busy pace of life. But Blue Zones research states that the healthiest, longest-living people in the world all have something in common: they put their families first. Family support can provide comfort, support, and even influence better health outcomes while you are sick. Relationships and family author Mimi Doe recommends connecting with family by letting little grievances go, spending time together, and expressing love and compassion to one another.

Of course, the same practices apply to close friends as well. This is especially important if you don’t have living family, or have experienced difficult circumstances, such as abuse, that would make it difficult for you to connect with your relatives.