Benefits of spending time with family

In a world of uncertainty where normal life is distant, the need for family is greater than ever. Due to the restrictions in place, many of us are not getting the normal social interactions we need. We have been limited to digital screens and phone calls to keep in touch with loved ones. The calls help, but they are not the same as being face-to-face. Our increased dependence on digital relationships is also not good for our physical and mental health. A recent study shows that increased use of social media directly leads to an increase in loneliness. The most effective way to combat loneliness is to have meaningful, in-person time with our families and friends. Spending time in the same room isn’t easy right now but soon restrictions will lift, and we can get back to normal.

Similar to the study linking social media to loneliness, there is plenty of research connecting the stress and happiness levels of individuals to the strength of their support network. The correlation is even greater than the data collected by fitness devices which supposedly can show the overall health of an individual. What this means is, spending time with your family and close friends can substantially increase your happiness and longevity. Also, please know that for the context of healthy relationships and this article, family, close friends, colleagues, can all be considered the same. Any meaningful, healthy relationship is what matters.

The tangible value of quality time with family

Mental health is all about good relationships. As we have established, loneliness and depression are unhealthy and can even shorten your life expectancy. In-person communication is always better than digitally. By having a stockpile of meaningful emotional connections and experiences you can more confidently manage challenging life struggles by having a strong network to lean on.

Kids are more successful in a supportive environment. Children today have to deal with a lot. Their future is very uncertain, and they are trying to navigate school, friends, and life at an vulnerable age. It has shown that kids who spend more time with their parents do better in school. By spending time with adults and family they develop important communication skills and a better understanding of the world. As a parent by taking interest in your child and doing something simple like asking them how their day was, can go a long way in making them feel valued.

Kids who get attention don’t get in trouble. Kids who are actively engaged and spend time with family have a decreased aptitude for acting up, getting in trouble, and exhibiting behavioral issues. When kids get attention and are rewarded for doing well, they have more of a desire to continue doing well.

Self-esteem is everything. Those who spend time with family have a greater sense of self-worth, it is that simple. When you feel loved and appreciated by your family you have greater confidence and belief in yourself. Important life skills are learned in the home like sympathy, compassion, hard work, and discipline.

Learn to be a parent by watching your parents. The best example your kid will ever have of what it means to be a parent is what they will observe in you. If you create a loving environment where they feel safe, they will want to re-create that for their children as well. Being a parent isn’t easy and there is no book on how to do it, but the best way to learn is by what you teach them in your home.

Be a lover not a fighter. Being in a family means you deal with conflict just as often as you deal with loving feelings. The great thing is being in a family also means you learn how to manage conflict, find solutions, and move on. Those are essential life skills you can learn very well just by being in a functioning home. Being able to problem-solve, diffuse situations, and forgive are things kids will have to do in the real world. The more they can learn to do it at home the better.

Coping with stress. Stress is a killer and is very unhealthy for you to deal with. If you are in an unhealthy relationship not only do you have a heightened sense of stress, but you don’t have healthy ways of dealing with it either. If you have a strong network of family and friends that you can confide in or lean on, you can relieve stress. Talking through problems is always the best cure for these feelings.

Resilience and fortitude. Life is full of ups and downs and is all about perseverance. Sometimes you are ahead, sometimes you are behind but, in the end, the race is only with yourself. The key is when you face challenges you know how to deal with them and know that no matter what you have, there is a loving family behind you that is there to support you!

Improves your physical wellbeing. When you are happy, you are healthy. When you are happy you also have a better diet and fitness. Families and friends bond by doing fun activities like being outside, going on trips, and participating in sports. These healthy habits have major long-term benefits and will end up increasing your longevity and quality of life.

Live long and thrive. A recent study proved that individuals who had consistent healthy relationships in their lives could see increased lifespans of up to 50%. When you combine the physical and mental benefits, we covered there is no wonder why having meaningful relationships and spending time with your family makes a huge difference.

Bottom line. Spend time with your family. They are the most important people in your life. Be good to them and value them. If you haven’t had the chance to see them in a while due to the restrictions, give them a call. Once life goes back to normal, make sure to go see them as soon as you can and make them a priority.