It’s Mental Health Month and our timelines are filled with tips on how to take care of our mental health. For some, good mental health is equal to happiness. However, that isn’t always the case. We keep running after happiness like it’s a destination and not the journey. The thinking “I’ll be happy when…” does more harm than good. Still being happy most of the time wouldn’t hurt. Wouldn’t it be so easy if we all knew the secret to happiness and did just that? But what if we already knew the secret to happiness but just didn’t practice it enough?
A 75-year old Harvard study advises the secret to happiness and we find that it is actually no secret: “Personal connection creates mental and emotional stimulation, which are automatic mood boosters, while isolation is a mood buster.” In short, good relationships keep us happier and healthier.
Good mental health is not a spectator sport. It takes a lot of hard work, perseverance, and positivity in order for us to thrive. It also involves having a great group to guide you along the way. These people who are as invested in your well-being as you are known as your ‘thrive tribe.’ They will help you with any inquiry, help you define goals, and offer assistance, advice, and support along the way, and can make your journey to thriving an easier and richer experience.
To build a thrive tribe, find people who:
1. Want to see you succeed
As the saying goes: “our circle should want you to win. Your circle should clap the loudest when you have good news. If they don’t, get a new circle.” They must want to level-up and wish for you to do the same. They inspire you to become better than you were yesterday, and you inspire them to do the same.
2. Share your values
Nurture relationships with people who share your values. Shared values are instant connectors. Make sure they see as important those things you also hold dear. Conflict can arise from differences in opinions, but that’s not always a deal breaker. Differences in opinions can lead to healthier relationships and a wider perspective. However, a difference in values takes longer to get over and can result in cracks in the relationship overtime.
3. Value respect
Your thrive tribe must have respect for one another, for you, and more importantly, for themselves. They see you as someone worthy of respect and you see them as someone worthy of respect. Healthy relationships put a premium on respect for one another.
4. Appreciate differences
You share the same values but have different talents, backgrounds and opinions – does that still make you a thrive tribe? Yes. Your differences make you unique. Uniqueness is healthy and differences in perspectives are healthy. Diversity means you have more talents, perspectives, passions, and strengths. These round out your weaknesses.
5. Give and receive love
Make sure your thrive tribe is a circle of people who are comfortable giving and receiving love. At times, people find themselves not worthy of receiving love, and it will be up to you to remind them that they are worthy just as you are worthy. No one lasts in relationships that are one-sided. There always has to be a healthy balance of getting and giving.
What is your happiness tip? Share them with us in the comments. Remember to work smart and be a blessing to someone today. Stay safe and healthy!
Written by Jaie O. TheHelp