“Being able to feel safe with other people is probably the single most important aspect of mental health; safe connections are fundamental to meaningful and satisfying lives."Bessel van der Kolk, MD, from The Body Keeps Score When I think about a family,…
Three relationship experts share their findings about the purpose of marriage for strength, safety and belonging. Drs. John Gottman, Sue Johnson, and Stan Tatkin have studied how relationships impact each partner's sense of wellbeing. They identified traits of healthy relationships and…
"I need space." You've probably heard this or said it. What does that even mean? It's about holding space for emotions. To understand each other and ourselves, we need to make room for thoughts and feelings. Holding space is essential to…
If you want any relationship to feel better, you need to know about bids for connection. A bid for connection is anything a person does to spark a positive feeling with another. It might be obvious – like a hug, a…
Sometimes when the world bombards us with difficult news, we may wonder how we'll ever cope. How can we help each other when everyone around us may be stressed out too? By learning what others are going through, we may find…
You could say a close relationship depends on trust. To feel close, you need to open your inner world -- your thoughts and feelings -- to another person. You have to trust your partner to care about how you feel and…
Have you ever looked at a loved one's photo and felt happy? After sharing a problem with someone who understands, did a wave of peace and calm wash over you? You might enjoy such feelings because of a special emotional bond…
Eye contact in relationships has a huge impact on making you feel loved. When love is new, eye contact can be spine-tingling and exhilarating. "When we gaze into each other’s eyes, we are looking at somebody who isn’t predictable. We’re reminded…
Do you hide personal issues you're facing from your partner? You might want to protect your loved one from worrying too much. But there's a risk to your partnership in keeping too much of your inner world to yourself. Sometimes one…
Modern life puts a great deal of pressure our relationships. Does this sound like you? You struggle to balance work, family and "me" time. You scramble to keep up with loved ones, friends and colleagues. Maybe you're juggling childcare, elder care,…