Humans are social creatures. We naturally form social bonds, rely on others and need one another's presence to thrive. We live and work in groups and we need to cooperate with others. With brains wired for social connection, these bonds are crucial for our survival, wellbeing and development.
But even though these social relationships are an important part of our lives, navigating them can sometimes be confusing and frustrating, especially when you consider how many relationships we have. Family, friends, partners, acquaintances, work colleagues, our relationships to each of these groups, and even individuals within each group, come with their own nuances and quirks.
Knowing how to communicate with people in our lives and nurture our relationships takes effort and without the right tools, it can feel overwhelming. This week we’re highlighting skills you can add to your toolkit.
Earlier this year, we empowered connection with some of our fan favourite Wellbeing Partners.
To strengthen and build our connections, Mental Health and Wellbeing Educator, Marie Vakakis from The Therapy Hub focused on what you can do to create healthier, more supportive relationships in your life. Find out more here.
Relationships would be nothing without proper communication. That’s why Rebecca Lovell, our resident psychologist, joined us to explain the different communication styles people use and gave us practical tips to improve how we communicate and express ourselves confidently and clearly. Find out more here.
If you need extra, more individual support, Relationships Australia Victoria (RAV) is a great organisation providing safe, inclusive and accessible services so people can enjoy positive, respectful, safe and fulfilling relationships.
With so many different types of relationships to consider, knowing how to navigate and nurture them is important. We hope you can add some of the skills highlighted here to your toolkit and continue to learn, grow and feel from the connections around you. Life would be even harder if we didn’t ConnectWell with Relationships.