Boost Self Esteem With Healthy Relationships

Healthy relationships make life fun and exciting. Each of us encounters a wide variety of people everyday; family, friends, acquaintances, co-workers and even online buddies. Learn how healthy relationships can benefit your well-being and improve your self-esteem.

Why Healthy Relationships Help With Overcoming Low Self Esteem

One of the great things about healthy relationships is that they build self-esteem. Having a friend or partner who enjoys spending time with you bolsters your confidence and makes you feel worthwhile.

When someone confides in you about a problem or asks for advice, you feel a boost of self-confidence knowing this person needs you and respects your opinion.

A healthy relationship is a mutual friendship, dating relationship or romance that is based on good communication, healthy boundaries and mutual respect.

Common traits of a healthy relationship are:

Honesty

Whether the relationship is a friendship, business partnership or romance, honesty is key. It is important that both parties have open, honest communication and have respect for one another.

If you make a mistake, forget an appointment or offend the other person, admit the error and apologize.

Just a simple, “I’m sorry” goes a long way in repairing rifts in relationships.

Trust

In a healthy relationship, you trust the other person with your hopes, fears, dreams and secrets and they trust you with theirs.

Although it may be tempting to join in on gossip in the workplace or neighborhood, slipping up and sharing a secret entrusted to you can permanently ruin a relationship.

Communication

Good communication is important in a healthy relationship. When your friend is talking, be sure to really listen without interrupting or thinking of what you will say next. This is being supportive.

Boundaries

Being in a healthy relationship means you spend time together, but not to the exclusion of all and everybody else. Healthy individuals enjoy spending time together but also divide their time between other people and their own hobbies.

Healthy Relationships Help You Live Longer

Feeling needed is important, especially as individuals grow older and responsibilities change. Studies show that retirees who stay active in their community decrease their risk of depression and tend to live longer than those who withdraw.

Healthy Relationships Reduce Stress

Healthy relationships go a long way in reducing stress. According to a study done by UCLA, women who become stressed release the “bonding” hormone, oxytocin. This hormone drives them to connect with others to share the feelings and get support. The connection releases more oxytocin and eventually leads to a feeling of calm.

How To Find A Healthy Relationship that Helps with Overcoming Low Self Esteem?

Even if you’re a shy person at heart, you can still find a healthy relationship. Start with activities you’re already a part of such as work, clubs, groups or the gym. Hanging out with people who already share common interests can make it easier to bond.

Just moved to a new city and don’t know anybody yet? Join a website like Meetup.com and look for common-interest groups in your area. Always exercise caution when meeting people offline for the first time.

Social networking not really your thing? Grab a local paper and get in on one of the group activities at a YMCA or church in your area.

Healthy relationships are important. Take time to nurture them and you’ll be a happier, more self-confident person.