Healthy Relationships Initiative
Gratitude builds relationships and creates strong, healthy communities. Simple words of appreciation and acts of kindness go a long way in showing our loved ones that we care and place value in our relationships. Not only does gratitude strengthen our relationships with those we love, but it also connects us to people in our community who we may not know as well. What can you do to show gratitude to the people in your life?
Try your best to maintain a positive attitude in your relationships! When you choose to cultivate positivity in your relationships, it can be easier to build strong connections and navigate challenges. Having a positive outlook in your relationships, doesn’t mean that you have to be happy and positive all the time. It’s natural to experience periods of negativity, sadness, and pain in your life and relationships. Honor these feelings, while keeping in mind that though things may be hard right now, what you’re feeling and experiencing won’t last forever.
Healthy communication is built on a foundation of truth, integrity, honesty, and respect. Strive to uphold these values in your relationships and aim to build open and honest communication with your loved ones!
Friday, February 14th: Healthy Relationships in Older Adulthood at the High Point Public Library
Join the Healthy Relationships Initiative and the Piedmont Triad Regional Council Area Agency on Aging for a free program on how to strengthen and foster healthy relationships in older adulthood. This program is free and open to the public!
Light refreshments and free resources will be provided.
To register for the Greensboro location on February 13th, click here.
Thursday, February 13th: Healthy Relationships in Older Adulthood at the Bryan Family YMCA
Join the Healthy Relationships Initiative and the Piedmont Triad Regional Council Area Agency on Aging for a free program on how to strengthen and foster healthy relationships in older adulthood. This program is free and open to the public, even if you are not a YMCA member!
Light refreshments and free resources will be provided.
To register for the High Point location on February 14th, click here.
We have the right to speak our minds and communicate our boundaries in our relationships. When communicating our boundaries to those we care about, it is important to speak in a way that is kind and compassionate, yet clear and assertive. Being mindful about how we communicate in our relationships can foster understanding and connection, while helping us speak our truth and ask for what we need!
By Eleanor Beeslaar, Graduate Assistant
Growing apart from friends is a normal part of adulthood. Friendships ebb and flow through different life stages, and there are many reasons why friendships change and people grow apart. During adulthood people often go through many transitions that lead to added responsibilities, which can impact friendships; such as moving to a new place, starting a family, or work responsibilities.
With the many responsibilities that we must juggle as adults, it can be hard to find time to connect with our friends. Additionally, as we grow and change as people, our friendships may change and drift apart. This can lead to feelings of disconnection; however, it is important to recognize that while it can be challenging to feel like our friendships are changing or ending, this is a normal part of life.
As you go through new life stages and think about your different friendships, know that it is okay for them to change. You may not be able to see your friends as often as you were able to in the past, and that is completely normal. Try to adjust your perspective of what friendships look like and communicate in new ways that work for you and your friends in this new life stage. This may mean that you and your friends are not able to see each other as often, or you may need to talk more consistently over the phone to stay in touch. Whatever this new type of communication and friendship looks like for you, know that the most important thing is that you and your friends are on the same page!
By Eleanor Beeslaar, HRI Graduate Assistant
Moving to a new place can add an extra layer of complexity to the process of making and maintaining friendships during adulthood. People relocate for a variety of reasons including job opportunities, professional/graduate school, or a partner or spouse’s job. The idea of making friends in a new city, state, or even country can be daunting, especially if you are moving on your own.
When you move to a new place, it’s important to be intentional about pursuing friendships and building social support! Though it can be tempting to stay in after a long day at work or in class, if you are pursuing higher education, we encourage you to try your best to make plans and connect with new people. This will help you build new connections and develop social support early on in your transition, which can help reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation that often occur when moving to a new place without knowing many people.
Start with what you know! When you move to a new place, a lot of things will be unfamiliar, so a great way to make friends is to put yourself in situations or places that feel familiar. This will help you feel more comfortable and may lead to making connections with people who have similar interests and values! Join an organization, class, or club based on your interests or hobbies. This may look like joining a church or other faith group, taking a workout class, joining a book club, or participating in a sports league.
Another great way to meet people and feel connected to your new community is to volunteer with a local organization! By consistently volunteering with a cause that you feel passionate about, you can build a sense of connection and belonging after moving to a new place. This is also a wonderful way to meet people who have similar values and care about the same causes as you do, giving you a place of common interest for the foundation of your relationship.
When you meet someone who you feel comfortable with and would like to be friends with, be intentional about inviting them to spend time with you. This will help you get to know one another and develop a strong and meaningful friendship. Keep in mind, however, that this will not happen overnight. It will take time to develop a support system and find a sense of community and belonging in your new home.
For more tips about making friends as an adult, visit yesterday’s blog post, Making Friends as an Adult!
By Eleanor Beeslaar, HRI Graduate Assistant
Making friends as an adult can be challenging, especially with the many responsibilities that often come with adulthood. It can be difficult to find time to reach out to people you’d like to be friends with or to explore new places or activities to meet new people. Once you are able to set aside the time to initiate contact with new people, it can feel really scary to be vulnerable and put yourself out there. If any of these things ring true to you, know that you are not alone. It is completely normal to feel uncertain about making and maintaining friends as an adult.
Though making friends as an adult can be hard, it is important to try your best to build connections and develop a support system of friends. We encourage you to step outside of your comfort zone and embrace the process of making connections and meeting new people! HRI has created a series of tips to help you navigate the process of making friends as an adult:
We encourage you to keep some of these tips in mind as you work towards building adult friendships in your life!
By Eleanor Beeslaar, HRI Graduate Assistant
Friendship is an important part of life! Friends often make up a large portion of our support system, and in some cases, they may even be our chosen family. Maintaining healthy friendships and sharing deep connections with others can improve our overall well-being and life satisfaction. Friends can help us navigate life challenges and provide support during difficult times, while also being there to celebrate our successes and embrace the joys of life. They help us feel connected and reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation, especially during stressful life events. Friends can also increase our sense of belonging and purpose in life!
It’s clear that having strong and meaningful friendships is a key aspect of living a happy and healthy life. However, making friends as an adult can often be challenging. As an adult, there are many responsibilities, stressors, and life events that can become barriers to forming and maintaining strong friendships. For example, moving to a new place for a job or professional school can present a challenge to keeping up with friends from back home, as well as making new friends in an unfamiliar place. Additionally, priorities such as taking care of kids, establishing a career, and household tasks often take precedent over friendships during adulthood. Though life transitions and taking care of responsibilities are necessary, it’s also important to be intentional about building and maintaining healthy friendships during adulthood!
HRI is excited to help you establish and maintain healthy friendships as an adult by providing helpful information and tips about making friends as an adult, finding friends in a new place when going through life transitions, and learning to manage growing apart from friends. Stay tuned throughout the rest of this week to learn more!