How Meaningful Relationships Boost Wellness and Tips for Nurturing Them

Everyone has heard of the importance of friendship, but did you know that meaningful relationships aren’t just good for your soul but for your body too?

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Several scientific studies show that engaging in meaningful social relationships have short and long-term effects on your physical and mental health.

For instance, while studying mortality across industrialized nations, researchers found that “...individuals with the lowest level of involvement in social relationships are more likely to die than those with greater involvement.”¹ Researchers also found that social involvement also reduced mortality risk among adults who had documented medical issues. 

Even among more formal social involvement, such in the case of actively participating in a faith community, is also associated with living a long and healthy life.²

There’s several reasons why this is the case:

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Meaningful Relationships Can Enforce Healthy Behaviors

For better or for worse, your relationships play a major role in your health behaviors–or personal actions that influence health, disability, and mortality. Some behaviors such as smoking or heavy alcohol consumption can undermine health, while others like eating healthy and exercising will promote it. 

Engaging in friendships that encourage positive behaviors will help you develop and encourage your own healthy habits.³

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Related: Working Out as a Couple: How to Strengthen Your Relationship Through Exercise

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Meaningful Relationships Improve Mental Health 

Strong social connections are associated with lower rates of depression and anxiety because quality friendships contribute to one’s overall feeling of being loved and cared for.

This sense of social support and purpose reduces the impact of stress and the physiological effects associated with stress such as high blood pressure, heart rate, and stress hormones.

Engaging relationships can also help maintain cognitive function as we age. Meaningful conversations and social interactions stimulate the brain and may lower the risk of cognitive decline.

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Meaningful Relationships Improve Bodily Functions

Furthermore, studies have found that “...supportive interactions with others benefit immune, endocrine, and cardiovascular functions…”⁴  and have encouraged faster recoveries from surgeries or illness.

How to Nurture Your Friendships

Investing in friendships and relationships require more intentionality during adulthood than during the adolescent years at school and extracurriculars. But the time and energy are well worth it, both in terms of your health and your overall quality of life.

1. Communicate: Communication is key in any meaningful relationship; be an active listener and be honest.
2. Know their Love Language: Know what makes your friend or spouse feel most loved and seek to show your appreciation in that way often.
3. Forgive and Seek Forgiveness: When misunderstandings and hurt feelings arise, talk through the problem. Apologize when you are at fault and forgive when they are.
4. Make time for the relationship: Dedicate time each week to reach out and connect with friends. Celebrate milestones like birthdays, anniversaries, and achievements together to deepen connection.
5. Grow Together: Encourage your friends to pursue their passions and dreams. Offer your support and celebrate their successes with them. Hold one another accountable to growing in virtue and holiness.

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