Conscious Focus: Self-Respect

Science shows that involvement in social relationships benefits health. When both of you are demonstrating self-respect and happiness, you are more likely to be healthy.

Well-being includes your physical health but goes beyond to include mental, emotional, social, and spiritual aspects.

The Bahá'í teachings say this:

"... [M]an's supreme honor and real happiness lie in self-respect, in high resolves and noble purposes, in integrity and moral quality, in immaculacy of mind." 'Abdu'l-Bahá

As a couple, the more you integrate and harmonize all aspects of health and create well-being, the happier you are likely to be. It works from the other direction too: The happier you are, the likelier you will both be healthy. With well-being, you feel more "in balance," and there is a "flow" of positive energy between you as a couple and between your activities.

When the two of you are healthy and happy together, you have more energy and time to parent well, see friends and family, and participate in your work and community service. You are present. You show up. You make a positive difference.

As you collaborate, accompany, and encourage each other, health and happiness increase. When you are united in creating well-being, you are healthier as individuals and in your relationship. Science has discovered this insight:

"Eating right and moving more—especially if we want to do these things on a regular basis and over a long span of time—are easier when we are inspired, cajoled, praised, and supported by the people who matter the most to us in our daily lives."5 Thomas N. Bradbury, PhD, and Benjamin R. Karney, PhD

When you cooperate as a team, you are more likely to:

• Turn to each other to talk about your challenges
• Make and keep medical and dental appointments
• Eat healthier meals
• Reduce harmful habits
• Have stronger immune systems
• Seek help as needed
• Recover faster when you become ill

As equal partners, you look at the totality of your lives and choose the roles and responsibilities that are fair and respectful to both of you. You avoid the pitfalls of dominating each other, doing constant reminders, hiding behavior, or criticizing each other' actions. Instead, you look for ways to share your experiences, and you are more likely to encourage and help each other. You contribute to one another physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

Valeria interviews Susanne Alexander, the author of Creating Well-Being for Couples and Families: Increasing Health, Spirituality, and Happiness.

Susanne M. Alexander is a Relationship and Marriage Educator, author, coach, and publisher with Marriage Transformation® at the website www.marriagetransformation.com. Her online learning platform is: TransformationLearningCenter.com. Susanne believes that knowledge and skill-building are vital for healthy people and relationships. She meets with individual and couple clients globally for personal and relationship preparation, growth, and strengthening. She is certified to offer character, relationship, and marriage readiness assessments. Susanne has been single, dating, engaged, married, divorced, and widowed. She is a child, stepchild, parent, stepparent, and grandparent. Susanne is originally from Canada and now lives with her husband in Tennessee, in the United States. She has a diversity of experience to share!

To learn more about Susanne Alexander please visit her website: https://marriagetransformation.com/

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