People are quick to point out the physical benefits of meditation like lowered blood pressure and decreased anxiety. But meditation doesn’t just affect your physical health. It can also affect the health of your relationships. Here are just a few of the relationship benefits you’ll get if you regularly practice mediation:
The Ability to Listen
Meditation teaches you how to be present in the moment. It gives you the chance to check in with your mind and body. But more importantly, it shows you how to listen. This can come in handy when it comes to defusing arguments with your partner and loved ones.
You and your partner may argue over who will wake the kids up and get them ready for school. One morning your spouse might wake up cranky and be frustrated that it is their turn to take the kids to school which leads to an argument.
But if you’ve been meditating, then you know to slow down and tune into your partner. You notice the bags under her eyes and say, “I’ll handle the kids today. You look tired. Is there something else I could take off your plate?”
The Ability to Step Back
Sometimes, loved ones disappoint us. On those days, it’s easy to start focusing on everything you do and everything your loved one doesn’t do.
You might fume to a co-worker, “I chauffer the kids every evening so he can have time to de-stress after work. But he complains when I ask him to do something simple like pack the children’s lunch bags.”
Meditating helps you remember that the universe is vast and these problems are small in the scheme of things. It doesn’t mean you’re not irritated. It just means you don’t let that irritation develop into a huge fight next time you see your spouse.
The Ability to Show Compassion
Your friend who routinely quits her jobs is whining about money problems again. You love your friend but she always creates her own problems then asks you for a solution.
You might find yourself being a little more compassionate after meditation. You empathize with her lack of money by saying, “It stinks when finances are tight. Hang in there. Things will get better.”
Then you change the subject of the conversation. Your friend feels like she was heard and you avoided the usual theatrics. That’s a win-win.
Meditation can benefit your life in many ways. But like all practices, you get out of what you’re willing to put into it. If you want the benefits of meditation you have to make it a priority. Meditate daily and you will begin to see the benefits in your relationship.
