How Good Relationships Can Make You Stronger

ERT456A new review of the research by Brooke Feeney and Nancy Collins reveals the benefits of strong, nurturing relationships.

People thrive by: 1) successfully coping with adversity, and 2) pursuing personal goals and opportunities for growth. The support of solid relationships helps accomplish both ends.

How does a strong relationship help us cope with adversity?

Relationships can shield us from life’s fallout. Relationships provide comfort, encouragement, or acceptance, and protection. Furthermore, relationships reinforce and ground us so that we stand strong when hard times come.

How does a strong relationship encourage thriving?

Our relationships are not simply employed as pick-me-ups when we’re down. The joy of our close relationships comes often as our loved ones help us thrive and grow. We gladly accept it when people close to us push us to take risks, and back us up when we do.

Why is the support of a close relationship so effective?

Feeney and Collins list eight ways that support helps us to thrive. Close relationships bolster:

1)    emotional state

2)    resilience and self-acceptance

3)    ability to interpret and manage situations

4)    motivation to overcome and strive

5)    ability to adapt, cope, and learn

6)    the closeness, trust and feelings of love

7)    physiological functioning

8)    lifestyles, behaviors ,and self care

How can relationships be more supportive?

The following three factors demonstrate how to provide support:

1) Skills: Retain the proper skills to provide empathy, understanding, and self-control.

2) Resources: Retain the proper material, social, emotional, or cognitive resources. A lack of resources can lead to relationship burnout, depression, or a lack of emotional energy.

3) Motivation: Retain appropriate motivation. Feelings of responsibility and altruism allow you to want to be a healthy relationship partner.

The following three factors demonstrate how to receive support:

1) Make your needs known: Try to remain clear and open.

2) Ensure that support is available: Build a network of support.

3) Reciprocate support: Keep your relationships reciprocal.

According to Feeney and Collins, supportive relationships are mutual, as members rely on each other through thick and thin.

Read the entire article here: How Good Relationships Can Make You Stronger

 

 

 

 

 

 

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