How your Relationship Can Be the Root of Your Stress

We’ve all heard the saying that money is the root of all evil (not true of course).  But have you heard that relationships can be the root of your stress?   You can juggle your bills you can juggle your time but you can’t always juggle your relationships. 

Relationships include more then family members, it could be friends, co-workers neighbors and even people you do business with.  Some relationships can be severed without much change in your daily habits.  While others can’t actually be changed – after all you can’t change your family.

Evaluate your support systems.  Are they actually supportive and non-judgemental.  Do they give advice but not the criticism.  Do they care about you with no strings attached.  Are you satisfied with the support they offer. 

When in a  relationship that causes you stress, learn how to handle that  stress will improve your relationship.  It requires good communication skills, on both sides.  You learn to listen as well as speak your mind.  It takes two to build or destroy a relationship. 

If I could only pick two things to build a relationship it would be to learn to laugh and to learn to listen. 

Laughter
Researchers now believe that laughter is one of the cheapest and most powerful therapies at everyone disposal.  The act of laughing helps to stabilize your blood pressure and improve your circulation.  And improving your relationship is a by-product of this good feeling.

Listening
A good listener does more than just stand there without saying anything.  Be an active listener by verbally and non-verbally acknowledging what’s being said.  Remember your facial expressions.  Look the other person in the eye.  Finally, don’t begin formulating your response before the speaker finishes what they are saying. 

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