When it comes to well-being, relationships might just be the most important practice to master. Just think about what sustains you when life gets rough. Think about what will matter most when you look back on your life. For most of us, the answer is simple. It’s not work, money, or status. It’s the care and connection we share with our friends, family, and coworkers.
In fact, researchers in positive psychology now argue that well-being and relationships work together to create a kind of upward spiral. Healthy relationships sow the seeds of well-being. They strengthen your immune system, allow you to live longer, and make you more resilient to stress. Yet the opposite is also true: Well-being strengthens our relationships. Those who feel healthy, happy, and content in their lives make better friends, coworkers, lovers, and life partners.
While almost everyone already has important relationships, the relationships practice below gives you a new way to think about investing in them. Many of us are poor decision makers when it comes to well-being. We tend to think that success in the form of money, status, and professional advancement leads to well-being. Yet these…
