Save Your Relationships

Even though maintaining long-term, intimate relationships can be one of the best things people can do for their physical and mental health, job stress and the demands of a complex position squeeze the life out of the bonds we have with important people. While many relationships are sacrificed on the career altar, this doesn’t have to be true for yours.

The good news is that recovery from job stress and burnout often results in positive relationship change. In Dr. Regedanz’s research, positive changes have shown up as:

• increased engagement in relationships,
• less strain in interactions with life partners,
• establishment of supportive relationships with new colleagues.
• creation and commitment to new, positive partner relationships

Some indications that you could be served in saving your relationships are:

• You have a pattern of putting off spending time, especially scheduled time, with people you care about
• You know more about the people you work with than the “important” people in your life.
• Someone you consider a close friend or loved one says they don’t feel like you listen to them or know them.
• There is a lot of tension or awkwardness in your important relationships.
• You talk more about people you care about than to them.
• You are afraid to talk to a close friend
• You feel lonely.
• You wish you could improve your relationship(s), but nothing seems to work.