How can you use positive relationships to reduce stress levels?

A study by the University of Buffalo conducted by Michael J Poulin revealed that individuals who spent significant time helping or caring for others experienced fewer negative effects of stress compared to the majority of people. Engaging in acts of kindness and fostering a sense of belonging within a community can elevate oxytocin levels in your body, a hormone scientifically proven to counteract stress hormones effectively. In my workshops, I actively promote the idea of participants exploring volunteering opportunities both within their organisations and beyond their workplace as a means to enhance their overall well-being. From personal experience, it is an amazing way of reducing stress levels.

Positive relationships encourage communication and the most important thing that anybody can help with when it comes to stress management is awareness, if you don't know what you are looking for how can you help. Forming relationships based on support, empathy and active listening will encourage others to speak openly about their struggles, ask for help when they need it without the fear of being judged. Advice is fantastic especially for those who have experienced similar stressful situations however just the fact that you are open to listening without judgement is sometimes all that is needed.

Surrounding yourself with likeminded people is not a phrase I throw around lightly, its imperative if you want to achieve. Their support is invaluable and it will encourage you to be your authentic self, which in turn creates confidence and better performance. Being supportive costs nothing, but is extremely valuable, this also works both ways , the same support should be reciprocated for a relationships to be positive.

Communication is key for a positive relationship, active listening is a valuable tool to own and being empathetic is an asset that everyone should own. Having an opinion is great and you are entitled to this but making sure you are respectful to other who also have their own is super important. Relationships are a two way agreement nobody wants a relationship that is one sided it becomes very draining so making sure you have a balance of active listening, respect and assertiveness is something I will always promote.

Seeking help is never easy, being that open can make people feel extremely vulnerable so it is important that when somebody does seek help you just listen , no need for anything else at this stage just listen with no judgement. The person seeking is aware of the problem , they are just unsure how to get the help they need. However don't think you have to sort the situation and make everything go away, they are not expecting that, they don't even know how to solve it, so just listening can create awareness for you as to where you signpost them for the help they need. Awareness is crucial in conversation where somebody is seeking help, as there has probably been lots of barriers preventing them from reaching out , so respect that.

Being appreciative of those around you is super important, showing gratitude for support & relationships is something I recommend often. You are only rewarded with anything more if you are appreciative of what you already have, and that goes for relationships too. People surround themselves with positive energy , if you radiate that you are more likely to find people will want to create relationships, they will want to help and they will want to listen. Any person suffering from stress will hugely benefit from positive people around them, they provide solutions, show empathy and don't judge So anytime you have the opportunity to appreciate relationships, make sure you do it, and then pay it forward when you are in the position to do so.