Page 20 - The Villager June 2021

Lifestyle

thirty-fiVe

questions to

improVe your

relAtionships

have had many conversations As a coach, I am always looking for you and your chosen companion for
and coaching sessions lately ways to increase the overall well-being the exercise are comfortable sharing
I with people who are questioning of my clients and the community, and I personal thoughts and feelings.
the quality of their relationships – remembered reading a study by Arthur
especially nowadays with the effect Aron from the State University of New You will need:
the COVID pandemic has had on York. He and his colleagues created a 45 minutes of uninterrupted time
personal connection. series of questions designed to increase together.
The theme of quality over quantity is closeness in a relationship. I have For the first 15 minutes, take turns
becoming more prevalent. included them here for you to try. asking the questions from SET 1. Each
COVID has indeed been awful for person should answer each question,
human relationships in general because Getting started: but in alternating order, so that a
connecting with others fulfils our Find someone that you would like to be different person goes first each time.
basic psychological needs. The need closer to. Whether it is love you are after After 15 minutes, move on to SET 2 even
to belong to something and the need or a deeper bond with those around if you have not completed SET 1. Again
to feel accepted lies deep within our you, these questions are a useful way to after another 15 minutes, move to SET 3.
subconscious minds. Without it, or with improve your relationships with family Each set of questions elicits deeper
it reduced to such a degree, significant members, friends and acquaintances. and more thoughtful answers than the
mental health problems are caused. Before diving into this, make sure previous set.

18 • Issue 6 2021 • The Villager