Relationships are complex, and handling them and preserving them takes time, effort and so much more. Often, things can go wrong in so many ways and even the strongest relationships reach the verge of breakup. That’s where mindfulness can make a difference and save the day. Several studies have now confirmed that besides transforming you as an individual, mindfulness can change and save your relationships. Here’s how!
Mindfulness Can Change and Save Your Relationships
It Makes You a Better Listener
It may come as a surprise to you, but most people today, even the good ones, fail badly at one thing when it comes to relationships- listening to their partner. Most of us, during a conversation, just can’t wait for our turn to talk, and we hardly listen, at least not completely.
That’s where mindfulness can really help. Practising mindfulness can train your mind to stay in the present and focus, helping you listen instead of zooming ahead into the future, making you a better listener right away. And guess what makes you a better friend, partner and human being in general? Yes. Listening! You got it.
It Helps You Appreciate More
Mindfulness is based upon one simple aspect- being in the present. This then transforms you into a much more grounded and grateful person, and helps you appreciate all that you are, and have in the moment. This then extends just as you would want it to in terms of relationships- it helps you become more appreciative of your partner and be grateful and happy about the bond that you two share.
It Improves Emotional Regulation
Mindfulness has been found to help strengthen the prefrontal cortex of the brain– an area concerned with the fight or flight response. This in turn, makes you able to regulate your emotions better. You’ll end up feeling less overwhelmed and less likely to react impulsively, and your brain will be much more ‘chilled out.’
It Makes you Self Aware
This one’s a biggie- a lot of us tend to struggle with owning up to our mistakes in relationships, and that is what makes things go downhill. Mindfulness, thankfully, helps a lot with that. It helps make you more self aware and you’ll realize when you’re acting out or making a big deal out of things or are behaving in a negative way, and the more you’ll ‘realize’ it, the less likely you’ll be doing it. The result? Healthier relationships.
Mindfulness is an extremely powerful tool that has the potential to improve so many aspects and parts of your life. All it really takes it a few minutes everyday to sit down, meditate and make it a point to focus on just the task you’re doing at the moment as opposed to multitasking.
Hi Corinne – I’m visiting from the MLSTL link-up. Thanks for sharing the power of mindfulness in a concise post. I’ve been practicing it daily and highly recommend it, too. #MLSTL
Natalie recently posted..Papallacta Hot Springs: A Delightful Stay
Thanks for dropping by, Natalie. Glad to know that mindfulness works for you!
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..Drink More Water
Hi Corinne – I like that mindfulness slows me down and stops the noise of the world for a while. It reminds me of who I am and what’s really important – and from there life becomes a lot simpler!
Thanks for linking up with us at MLSTL and I’ve shared on my SM
Stopping the noise of the world is so important, isn’t it?
Thanks for stopping by and for the share, Leanne.
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..Drink More Water
I will try to practice mindfulness for my relarionships. But it has to be done by both partners I guess, otherwise if it is one sided things will become very tough…
Hi Corinne, thanks for joining us again at #MLSTL and sharing your wisdom with us. Mindfulness is something that doesn’t come easily but is such an important ingredient to a balanced and healthy lifestyle. I also have read recently that children are being taught Mindfulness in schools which is a wonderful idea. Have a lovely week and see you at the next MLSTL. 🙂
Your words are so true Corinne, the slowing down to be mindful helps us in so many ways. Thanks for sharing. Visiting from #mlstl
Mindfulness is so important. My husband and I try to meditate together. And when we think the other is not listening, we call each other out on it. Neither of us gets mad, we just acknowledge that it’s true and make more of an effort to listen.
A lovely thing to do, Jennifer. Not taking offence is so important too.
A mindfulness practice has made an incredible difference in my life. The act of paying attention to the present moment, especially in these otherwise trying times, has really helped me to remain grounded despite everything that’s happening around me.
Modern Gypsy recently posted..Book review: Watch Over Me by Jane Renshaw
It shows in your interactions, Shinjini. I’m still learning! 🙂
Thinking before speaking. That is key to a happy relationship. And that as you pointed out, only happens if you are mindful of what you are doing and what you are saying. Too often, I open my mouth in the heat of the moment and live to regret it. Thanks for reinforcing this concept….
We all tend to speak before we think. If only we stopped for a moment and thought of the impact of our words, it would make such a difference.
It is so important to be present in the moment. Most of the times we are thinking about the past or are worried about the future. This leads to a lot of problems in our lives. Thanks for sharing about the importance of mindfulness.
True, past baggage and expectations can wreck havoc in relationships. That’s where mindfulness helps.
You have enumerated on mindfulness so well and the mental space equipping us with the ability to listen in today’s stressful times taking a huge toll on relationships. Meditation can help us a lot to gain perspective.
Thanks, Vishal. I do think that the world will be a better place if only we just listen!