Healthy relationships are essential to our happiness and emotional health. They also have a positive effect on our physical health. Research shows that people who have satisfying relationships have been shown to be happier, have fewer health problems, and live longer. For these reasons, it is important to take care of and nurture the relationships we have in life. Because life is so busy with work, school, appointments, etc (and depending on what life stage you are in, it can be even more challenging) there is rarely enough time left over to “nurture” our relationships. Of course, there is the “I love you” as you run out the door, the quick kiss hello as you return, but for relationships to sustain time, they need more intentional love and care.
Little ways to nurture relationships with our significant other:
- Leaving a little note/card that simply says “I love you” that let’s your partner know you
are thinking of him/her
- Taking a few brief moments to actually look in your partners eyes when they walk in the
door and greet them with warmth.
- Giving them a hug or kiss just because
- Spending a few minutes snuggling before you fall asleep
- Cooking your partner’s favorite meal.
- It's designating one night a week, “your night”, whether you
have a babysitter or not, to eat dinner together (alone), sit on the couch and talk, or work on a project together; to connect and interact on a deeper level than thepracticalities of life and parenting.
Little ways to nurture relationships with children:
- Putting a little I love you note in their lunch box
- Spending at least 15 minutes to just listen to them about their day.
- Hugs and kisses
- Reading a bedtime story
- Designating time to have a special date with each child individually at least once a month
- Baking cookies together
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So, as Valentine’s Day approaches it is important to remember that showing love and appreciation for the special people in your life is a gift that can be given every day and not just on the one day a year that represents “love”.
Crossroads Family Counseling Center, LLC wants to wish you a very Happy Valentines Day!
Written by Denise Booth who is a Virginia Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with over 10 years experience working with children and families. She has experience providing individual, family and group therapy to court-involved adolescents and families. She specializes in providing therapy to adolescents dealing with trauma and PTSD, behavioral issues at home and school, as well as anxiety, depression, self-esteem and substance abuse. In her work with parents, she strives to enhance parent-child relationships and strengthen parenting skills.
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