Your family is where you learn who you are and how to relate to others. It plays a vital role in fulfilling the human need to belong and have close, long-term relationships. Whether you are a child, teen, or adult, family experiences can promote or hinder your well-being.
Many of us are spending much more time together as a family. Be sure to take some time to focus on building connections for stronger and more resilient family relationships.
- Live a healthy lifestyle together. Plan for, shop, and eat healthy foods. Exercise as a family if you can. Or, promote physical activity suited for each family member. Get enough sleep.
- Plan to eat at least one meal a day together. Have each person talk about his or her day, such as stating the best part and worst part.
- Spend time together. Attend important events for each family member.
- Express care and concern. Be available to help each other out. Listen, listen, listen.
- Practice good manners. Say, “Thank you” and “You’re welcome.” Make it a practice to send thank you calls, notes, letters, or emails to others for gifts and other acts of kindness.
- Express affection. Say, “I love you,” “I care about you,” and “You mean a lot to me.”
- Discuss the value of the family as a whole. Encourage individual expression and development.
- Define clear, yet flexible roles for family members. Assign family chores.
- Keep the house as organized as possible.
- Discuss the need to adapt to changes and deal with stressful events.
- Seek professional help for problems the family cannot deal with on its own.