5 Steps to Mindful Relationships

The teenage years are filled with newfound ideas, freedoms, experiences, relationships and discoveries about self and others that were never noticed before, as well as learning to create and nurture relationships. They are also filled with angst, self-doubt, insecurities, social issues, school or college struggles and relationship challenges. Relationship challenges can be with newfound friends and old friends whose values seem to have changed, parents and siblings who are themselves becoming teenagers! Sometimes it is through these struggles that relationships become stronger and last a lifetime. Let’s take a look at how we can ensure that we not just retain but also nurture our relationships through mindfulness.

Mindfulness simply means to be present and engaged, to pay attention, to be aware and conscious of your actions. When you apply these behaviours to your relationships, they can only grow stronger.

Here are five tips to strengthen your relationships:

1. Mindful conversations

Try and remember the last time you had a deep conversation with your friends or family. Be mindful of every moment you spend with them. Do you look at your mobile when you are talking with your family or friends? The phone can be a great distraction. When we don’t look at those with whom we speak with, we lose many verbal cues that can help us connect and strengthen relationships. Be mindful of your habit of losing yourself in your mobile. Take the time to connect with your family and friends and see how meaningful the conversations become.

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