Using effective communication and conflict resolution strategies is important to handle healthy relationships with friends and family.
I will cover communication, conflict resolution, asking questions, establishing healthy boundaries, mediation, forgiveness, and self-care. All these things can help maintain healthy relationships with yourself and others.
- Communication strategies
It is important to have communication strategies before entering the conversation. The last thing we want is to have unresolved issues later on when you already have come to an understanding. Open and honest communication is key to healthy relationships.
Here are some things to keep in mind.
- Show empathy
- Compassion
- Active listening
- Negotiate
- Compromise
- Problem-solving to find mutual acceptance.
- Non-verbal communication cues to consider such as body language, and eye contact.
- Use “I” statements
Be the bigger person and encourage others to express their thoughts and feelings calmly and respectfully.
- Conflict resolution
Dealing with conflict can be uncomfortable but so is not saying anything.
Here are some examples to keep in mind for effective conflict resolutions in maintaining healthy relationships.
- Put things in writing for peace of mind and clarity over the outcome.
- Set clear, and healthy boundaries.
- Speak up with honesty and transparency. Do your best not to allow your emotional feelings to take over your reactions. Be calm, and remember to take deep breaths throughout the conversation.
- Expect differences and limit expectations on others.
- Be mindful and open to other’s point of view.
- Acceptance as everything is not in your control.
- Self-awareness and gratitude to self and others.
- Asking Questions
Asking open-ended questions can be the key to active listening. Before going into the conversation writing down questions you would like to ask or be answered can be a great technique for resolving relationships. This helps make the other person more aware and also shows you are actively listening.
Here are some questions to ask yourself and others for clarity.
- How do I want the conversation to turn out?
- How am I feeling currently about the situation or circumstance?
- How do they feel about the situation or circumstance?
- Is there anything I may have overlooked that you can bring to my attention?
- How can we come to an understanding and respect and show each other the love that we deserve?
Remember there is no right or wrong question to ask. We may not like the answers to the questions we have but as long as we show each other love and respect, we can do our best to put it behind us with forgiveness.
Every relationship may not be restored but the mediation of the outcome is what matters. You have your peace of mind and you let go of things you can’t control.
- Healthy boundaries
Healthy boundaries are similar to writing down your questions. Writing down your boundaries and being intentional can give you clarity and peace of mind walking away from the conversation whether it leads to a continued relationship or not.
Being intentional about our thoughts, feelings, and actions can help create healthy boundaries with ourselves and others.
What do healthy boundaries look like?
- Saying no
- Asking for personal space and privacy when you need it
- Expressing your feelings responsibly
- Expecting respect
- Accepting help
- Communicating discomfort
- The freedom to express your beliefs.
- Mediation, forgiveness, and self-care.
Mediation: It’s okay to ask for support to help mediate the conversation. Please consider involving a neutral third party, such as a family member, friend, therapist, or counselor to mediate conflicts and facilitate constructive communication to establish a healthy relationship outcome.
Forgiveness: Practice forgiveness and let go of past grievances to move forward and rebuild trust and harmony within the relationship.
Self-care: Take care of your well-being by setting aside time for self-care activities, and seeking support from family, friends, or professionals. This is your journey of discovery so remember not to be hard on yourself when establishing healthy boundaries with yourself and others. Check out my free affirmation cards as a reminder that you matter too.
Here are some cool positive affirmation cards that can help with the process. Be you and love yourself!
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A verse I’d like to leave us with is Proverbs 11:14~Without guidance, a people will fall, But with many counselors, there deliverance.