At the beginning of the year, we have our sights set on our plans, our objectives, our budgets, and our deliverables. We resolve to spend more time “in our work” or “on our resolutions,” but what about our relationships? 

Our relationships at work, in the home, and with our friends are the keystone of happiness and a well-rounded life. Our relationships increase our sense of belonging and purpose, reduce stress, improve our self-confidence and help us cope with the inevitable challenges life entails. At Wake-Up, Shake-Up, Thrive!, we want to help you devote your February to strengthening your bonds with yourself, your family, your coworkers and your friends. Read on to discover more!

The proof is found in numerous scientific studies that take note that older adults (50+) who value and maintain strong relationships are more likely to experience: 

• Lower risk of dementia and mental decline
• A better quality of life 
• A healthier immune system 

Your relationships are a direct reflection of how you show you care for others. If you are looking to improve your health and your relationships, it’s time to examine how much energy you’re expending on: 

1. Your Relationship with Yourself: Self-Care  

Why

Research suggests self-care promotes positive health outcomes, such as fostering resilience, living longer, and becoming better equipped to manage stress. We are walking, talking examples of how well we can love and whether we’re showing ourselves the kind of attention we are capable of spending on others. If your body is a temple, self-care is your temple’s floor.

There are times when you can’t see cracks or a shifting foundation beneath your floor. There is absolutely no shame in reaching out to a coach, a therapist, or a physician to seek their expertise about enhancements or repairs along the way. 

How

The basics of self-care include making sure you’re getting adequate sleep, moving your body and actually enjoying it, eating foods that fuel you, and seeking expert support when you need it. Other types of self-care include establishing boundaries, carving out time for self-care, and making sure you’re living a life in line with your values.

2. Your Relationship with Colleagues and Co-Workers 

Why

When you’re able to identify with your coworkers, your health, well-being and happiness will improve. This is backed up by research finding correlations between high social identification at work and physical and psychological health. The good news for you and management is that a happier, more engaged employee stays in a job longer and doesn’t miss work as much as someone who is disengaged and unhappy. 

How

Show you’re a team player (offer to help, be available to train or mentor). Demonstrate an interest in your co-workers’ lives while keeping things professional. Your work relationships may look different than your friendships – and that’s okay.

3. Your Relationships with Family

Why

Our families, however that is defined for you, are traditionally primary place we look to find safety, protection, acceptance, and love. Even if you are not on good terms with the family you grew up with, consider how you can create a safe, accepting, loving family of your own. While one family is born from circumstance and the other is chosen, both “families” shape our views about love and about ourselves. 

How

Some ways to foster familial relationships include: engaging in open and honest communication, apologizing and forgiving. Only you understand the dynamics of your own family relationships, and reflecting on your own safety and self-preservation are critical as you nurture your family relationships. To foster those relationships you find most important in your family, be deliberate and intentional about the time you spend and how you spend it.

4. Relationships with Friends

Why

Friendships foster a series of feel-good hormones including oxytocin, serotonin and dopamine. The emotional connection with friends becomes a source of positive life support to survive, thrive and stave off loneliness, as well as related health problems such as cognitive decline, depression and heart disease.

How

Did you ever hear the saying, “To have a friend, you’ve got to be a friend?” If you haven’t heard from a friend in a long time, don’t assume they’re just too busy or have lost interest. Ask yourself, “When was the last time I reached out?” Friendships thrive when they make you want to level up and strive for something better. Being a friend worth having means making sure you’re listening and investing time in your friendships.

What’s Your Honest Take? 

When you look at these four types of relationships in your own life, are you showing up as you want? Are you able to give each the attention it deserves or do you feel pulled in four directions? 

At WUSUT, we prioritize investing in building and maintaining good relationships – at work and at home – and this month we want to show you how much we care about you and your relationships. 

Our Gift To You

For the month of February, we’re gifting you – and those you care about – open access to our “Thrive Guide Alive” Video Series. 

All you need to do is press play! ▶️

You can watch this series when it’s convenient for you. You will gain insights using THE most common questions we get from our coaching clients. 

Your takeaways include: 

• Five minute videos to inspire thriving relationships – all four types!
• Real experiences and examples beyond what you’ll find in our book
• Your shortcut to amazing nuggets of life-changing information 
• A way to save you time and energy with our favorite and most impactful tips for each dimension of well-being
• A mobile tool you can take with you anywhere, anytime to listen, watch, and WUSUT!
• Shareable content for friends, family, and coworkers- we can not think of a better way to nurture relationships than by sharing!

Fast forward to the end of 2023…Don’t you want to have a truly unique inventory of your relationships? 

Of course, you do. 

Devote your February to strengthening your bonds with yourself, your family, your co-workers, and your friends with a little boost from the team at Wake-Up Shake-Up Thrive! 

Our Thrive Guide Alive Video Series is the accelerant to move you from knowing what you need to do – to actually doing it!

🔑Exclusive Access to Your Free Thrive Guide Alive before 2/28/23. 🔑Use the code ICARE.