Make contact! Speak to someone! Begin a conversation!
Start talking, whether it’s a simple phone call, an online chat, or a catch-up over coffee.
According to studies and research, communication is beneficial for physical fitness, mental health, and emotional well-being.
Begin a Discussion
When you speak with someone, your body literally relaxes. Your organs slow down, your blood pressure drops, your heart rate stabilizes, your stress, anxiety, and tension levels decrease, you feel more energized, and that headache you had an hour ago?
When you talk to someone, your mind becomes more focused rather than foggy, your cognitive function and memory improve, you become more organized and a better problem solver, you gain new perspectives, and you broaden your knowledge.
Here are some helpful hints to consider when starting or continuing a conversation with someone.
1. Inquire How They Are
- “How are you (really)?” inquire.
- Inquire about their thoughts and feelings.
- Inquire as to why they are thinking and feeling this way.
2. (In reality) Listen, Listen, Listen
- Don’t interrupt or cut the other person off. Back in primary school, a friend of mine expressed gratitude to me for being someone who could simply listen to her problem and not necessarily solve it.
- Pay attention. Make direct eye contact.
- Please be patient.
3. Do Not Pass Judgment
- Make the other person feel comfortable.
- Keep an open mind.
- Try not to judge the other person for opening up to you.
4. Empathize
Recognize by nodding, saying “yes” or “ok,” or saying “I understand.”
Assure the other person that, while you may not feel the same way, you understand how they feel.
Perhaps you could share your own experiences of feeling something similar, if not identical.
5. Explain how you can assist.
- If advice is requested, give it if you have it.
- Provide them with resources for other people, organizations, and communities that can assist them.
6. Follow-up
- Make time for it. Check in on the other person on a regular basis.
- Make them feel as if you are always available to them.
- Tell them you still think of them.
We often hear how important self-love is. We’re all aware that we need to take better care of ourselves, both physically and mentally. To be able to make someone else feel better, we must first ensure that we are in good health. An empty cup cannot be poured from.
But, in saying that, we must also look out for one another. Taking care of yourself also means taking care of those around you.
How do we know we’re good? And how do we ensure that other people, such as family and friends, are also happy?
Begin a conversation RIGHT NOW.
It will benefit not only the other person but also yourself. You might learn something new, discover the truth about something, or simply laugh at old times.
In sum
Remember that a meaningful conversation can inspire and change lives the next time you start one.
