That’s a silly question, isn’t it? As the answer is likely a resounding, “Yes!” We all want to improve our relationships, we just often don’t know how. Sometimes the smallest steps can make the biggest difference, especially if they are taken consistently over a lifetime. So let’s take Key Steps this week and…
Take 5 seconds to make a difference
1. Sharing is indeed caring – especially if it is positive. A recent study in the United States examined day-to-day mood changes associated with disclosure of positive and stressful events as affect regulation within couples. In daily diaries, 48 cohabiting couples reported whether they told their partner about the most positive and stressful event of their day. Participants reported greater positive affect on days when they told their partner about the most positive event of their day. Participants also reported greater positive affect on days when their partner shared their most positive event. Sharing about stressors was not associated with greater negative affect.
2. Create a daily ritual. Share the best event of your day and have your partner share the best event of their day. You might also want to adopt one of my rituals, which is to ask, “What was your lowest low? And what was your highest high?” Asking for the ‘low’ allows the other to offload – and as mentioned above, it is not associated with greater negative affect unless you allow it to degenerate into a daily pity party. Prevent this by remembering to always follow it with the ‘highest high’ of the day. This works well in all relationships – try it with your colleagues, friends and even your kids too. Take 5 seconds today and every day to…
