We are at our best when we are in healthy relationship with one another. Practically speaking, our network of relationships impacts our lives in a myriad of ways: Finding the right doctor, getting that new job, landing a key referral, meeting a significant other – all of these are key factors to our life satisfaction and success.
Relationships also affect our lives psychologically. According to the Association for Psychological Science, “people who spent a year making a renewed effort to help others, or spent more time with friends and family, were the only participants who measurably increased how they rated their own life satisfaction.” [1] Alternatively, social isolation leads to significant increases in anxiety, panic attacks, depression, paranoia, and loss of clear thinking. One recent study suggests that socially isolated people may even experience dangerous changes in brain chemistry.[2]
An article published by the University of Utah further highlights some of the physical benefits of healthy relationships. These include living longer, having healthier immune systems, healing quicker, lower blood pressure, and better heart health.[3] Scholars estimate that, regardless of your heart health, social isolation can increase risk of death anywhere from 50-90%.[2]
No wonder that in only the second chapter of the Bible we see it recorded that God looks at His creation and declares, “it is not good for man to be alone”. While much of the Christian faith is focused on restoring relationship between God and mankind, a full understanding of redemption is impossible without embracing how much of scripture focuses on healthy relationships between humanity.
So if we are better off practically, psychologically, mentally, physically, and spiritually when we are in healthy relationships, why is building relational capital often a back-burner thought? And what can we do to grow this area of our life portfolio?
The reasons we don’t prioritize relational capital are numerous, but one of the key reasons can be acceptance of one of the most dangerous lies around: “Tomorrow”. It is easy to assume that we have plenty of time to invest in relationships when all the other areas of life are in line and, as a result, delay putting in the needed relational time and effort today. However, we are not promised tomorrow and if we truly embrace the impact of relational capital today, then we should not delay giving time and effort to intentionally developing healthy relations.
Healthy relationships don’t just happen on their own, and while they require time, time alone is not enough. Healthy relationships have key characteristics. Psychology Today provides a list of characteristics present in good relationships including honesty, open communication, empathy, consistency, trust, accepting differences, and practicing healthy compromise.[4] So how do you cultivate the relationships in your life?
At a time when our social interactions have all been limited by the COVID situation, the need to invest in relational capital is on many of our minds. Some of the suggestions here may need to be amended due to COVID protocols, but the effects of our relational capital, both good and bad, are too great to not give increased attention. COVID will likely pass, but there will be another situation at some point that will be better faced with a strong relational balance sheet. So be ready, and invest fully today.
Ready to dig deeper? Get started today, by better understanding your risk tolerance level and how that fits with the investments you currently hold.
[1] https://www.psychologicalscience.org/news/releases/social-pursuits-linked-with-increased-life-satisfaction.html
[2] https://www.businessinsider.com/why-loneliness-bad-brain-body-what-to-do-2018-5
[4] https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/intentional-insights/201701/12-tips-happy-long-lasting-relationships