How to be a good friend and experience healthier relationships

As a mental health and wellbeing coach, I have seen the impact that healthy relationships can have on our overall well-being. Whether it’s with ourselves or with others, cultivating strong and supportive connections is essential for our emotional and mental health. In this blog post, I want to share some top tips on how to be a good friend and foster meaningful relationships in your life.

Learning more about how we connect with one another can be a rewarding and motivating experience. It’s good practice to reflect on your key relationships, those that are working and those that may need some alterations. I always believe that nothing is forever, and this is also true for all relationships. If something isn’t working or doesn’t feel right, then it most likely isn’t.

Tapping into your thoughts, inner voice, intuition, emotions and responses are key elements to being your own life coach, mentor, cheerleader and friend. How can we expect to build trust with others if we lack locking the trust in with ourselves? We can all reap the benefits of flourishing thriving relationships, we do not have to settle for second best or let our past define or negatively impact our present and future relationships. We all have the capacity to create healthier relationships, whenever we choose to, because for better or worse, our thoughts DO influence our lives and our relationships.

‘The foundations of all relationships are honesty, respect and trust. Being consciously aware helps us adapt or change our behaviour, thoughts and feelings so you can work together, if that’s what we want’

Here’s my top tips on ‘How to be a good friend and experience healthier relationships’

1. Practice Self-Reflection: Being a good friend starts with being a good friend to yourself. Take the time to reflect on who you are, what you value, and how you want to show up in your relationships. Self-reflection can help you identify areas for growth and improvement, ultimately making you a better friend to others. Additionally, self-reflection can also help you to better understand your own needs and boundaries, allowing you to communicate them effectively with your friends and create healthier, more fulfilling relationships.

2. Communication is Key: Good friends communicate openly and honestly with each other. Make an effort to listen actively, express your thoughts and feelings, and be receptive to feedback. Effective communication is the foundation of any healthy relationship.

3. Set Boundaries: We cover this a lot because its key to managing your energy and connect with yourself and others. Boundaries are essential for maintaining healthy friendships. Be clear about your needs and limits, and respect those of your loved ones and friends as well. Setting boundaries can help prevent misunderstandings and conflicts in your relationships.

4. Practice Forgiveness: No friendship is perfect, and conflicts are bound to arise. Practice forgiveness and let go of grudges to maintain a healthy and supportive friendship. Holding onto resentment can only harm your own well-being in the long run.

5. Seek Support When Needed: If you find yourself struggling with maintaining healthy friendships or dealing with past issues that impact your current relationships, seeking the help of a therapist, coach, or counsellor can be beneficial. Professional support can aid in your well-being journey and help you cultivate stronger connections with others.

Remember, it’s healthy to always move forward on a positive path and aim to leave nothing in the past that might negatively impact your future. By practicing self-reflection, effective communication, setting boundaries, and practicing forgiveness, you can be a good friend and foster meaningful relationships in your life. As we review and reset our relationships regularly, we grow and evolve just as nature intended. Let’s strive to be the best friends we can be and experience more emotional intimate connections in our lives.

If you feel like now is a good time to reflect more deeply on your relationships join my free Relationship Reset Coaching Course during the Summer Solstice cosmic energies.

Much LOVE for now

Suzi B xxx

Remember, the power to shape your life lies within you. Embrace the journey of success, knowing that it unfolds gradually, and let failure be a mere stepping stone in your relentless pursuit of love and ambition.