Fostering positive relationships and prioritising social connections is essential for maintaining personal wellbeing and providing compassionate care. In part 4 of our PERMA model series, we will be looking at the third element: Relationships. By consciously investing in nurturing relationships, you as health professionals can cultivate a supportive network and promote their own well-being.
Relationships encompass the meaningful connections we forge with others, including colleagues, family, friends, and patients. Positive and supportive relationships provide a sense of belonging, emotional support, and a shared sense of purpose. They contribute to our overall happiness and significantly impact our physical and mental wellbeing.
Practical Ways to Nurture Relationships
Cultivate Supportive Connections: Foster genuine and authentic relationships with colleagues and fellow health professionals. Seek out opportunities to connect, collaborate, and support one another. Celebrate milestones and successes that are shared, no matter how small.
Practice Active Listening: Engage in active listening when interacting with patients, colleagues, and loved ones. Provide them with your full attention, practice empathy, and validate their feelings. Foster a safe space for communication, where people can contribute ideas without retribution or ridicule.
Create Meaningful Rituals: Establish regular rituals to connect with colleagues, friends, or family. This could be a shared lunch break, a monthly book club, or a fitness activity.
Seek and Provide Mentorship: Engage in mentorship opportunities, both as a mentor and mentee. As a mentee, seek guidance and support from experienced professionals. As a mentor, share your knowledge and experiences to empower and uplift others.
Prioritise Quality Time: Dedicate quality time to nourish your relationships. Schedule regular social activities or outings with friends and loved ones. Disconnect from work-related stressors and be fully present in these moments of connection, laughter, and shared experiences.
Express Gratitude and Appreciation: Take time to express gratitude and appreciation for the people in your life. Offer words of encouragement, acknowledge their contributions, and express your gratitude for their support.
Benefits of Nurturing Relationships
Improved Wellbeing: Strong social connections have been associated with lower levels of depression, stress, increased self-esteem, and improved resilience. Fostering a sense of safety in community gives us a sense of belonging and opportunities for relaxation, laughter, and joy.
Enhanced Work Satisfaction: By deciding to purposefully build positive relationships with colleagues we contribute to a psychologically safe work environment, one where people can express themselves without fears of attack, ridicule, or blame. We can reduce feelings of burnout. Small gestures of appreciation can strengthen relationships and create a positive ripple effect.
Increased Collaboration and Learning: Exchange of knowledge, expertise, and diverse perspectives happens in healthy workplaces. Collaborating with others fosters professional growth and enhances the quality of care provided to patients. These relationships can provide invaluable support and facilitate professional growth.
Emotional Support: Being able to lean on others for emotional support fosters resilience, reduces stress, enhances trust, and promotes mental wellbeing.
Positive Patient Interactions: When you nurture your own relationships, it can bring a sense of empathy, compassion, and understanding to your patient interactions.
Remember, nurturing meaningful relationships is a reciprocal process that requires time, effort, and genuine care.
Stay tuned for part 5 next week, as we delve into the next element of the PERMA model: Meaning and explore how it contributes to your overall wellbeing.
