Just like our bodies and our minds, our relationships need nurturing to remain healthy and fulfilling. This is something we can easily forget to focus on and may neglect – to our detriment. Toxicity can seep into our interactions with the people who surround us – whether it’s with our significant others, friends or families. Unbalanced relationships can take a significant toll on many aspects of our wellbeing – including our physical, mental and emotional selves.
However, there are steps we can take to recognise destructive patterns with those around us and adjust our behaviour to foster positive relationships that uplift us and add value to our lives.
Signs your relationships need a detox
Before you begin to mend a toxic or unbalanced relationship, the first step is to recognise one. Below are just a few indicators that some of the relationships in your life may be hindering your wellbeing – rather than helping it.
Your disagreements are recurring
If you and your partner are frequently bickering, you may notice the same issues keep arising. This is a sign of either poor communication or listening, on either side of the relationship.
You no longer feel excited or fulfilled
You’ve entered the boredom zone: you’re no longer excited to see your friend or partner and don’t feel fulfilled afterwards. People change over time, this is a normal and natural progression in many relationships. Perhaps your interests have drifted apart, or perhaps you feel a general dissatisfaction in your own life that is being projected onto your interactions with others.
They are getting on your nerves
Even the smallest, most insignificant things they do manage to annoy you. This is a tell-tale sign of underlying tension that may need to be resolved before moving forward.
The relationship is one-sided
One person feels as though they are always going the extra mile to make the other person feel happy or comfortable. Or perhaps one person gets the final say and makes all of the decisions. Feelings of inequality form a shaky foundation for any relationship.
You don’t feel you can be your authentic self
Trust and acceptance are key to any healthy relationship and without this, you may not feel as though you can relax and show your true self. Feeling as though your authentic identity doesn’t please or live up to the standards of those around you may be a reflection of your own insecurities or their behaviour towards you.
5 steps to detoxify your relationships
If any of the above signs ring true for you, below are some ways in which we suggest you cleanse your relationships to set them back on track.
Talk openly and honestly about your concerns
No matter how insignificant they may seem at first, small tensions can quickly accumulate to bigger issues if left unresolved. Addressing them allows you to cleanse your conscience of them and move on. However, when confronting someone, we suggest being mindful of your language. Refrain from attacking or blaming, and instead approach the conversation with ‘I feel … ’.
Consider both sides of the situation
We can be quick to accuse others of their part in a toxic relationship, but it’s important to take a step back and consider whether your actions could be contributing to any tension. If you prefer expressing your thoughts on paper to organise and clarify them, journaling is an excellent option to try. Reflect on what you could be doing better – there’s always something we could all act on to improve our relationships. Perhaps you could improve your listening skills, or communicate your feelings better.
Be the change you seek
What do you want to see from others? Are you returning the same?
We can often mirror those around us – if you feel yourself becoming a version of yourself that feeds toxicity, make a conscious effort to redirect this behaviour and inspire those around you to do the same. And if they can’t, it might be time to distance yourself from them.
Realise your worth and practice self-love
Realising your worth is an essential step to seeking and receiving the respect and treatment you deserve. Lacking this makes it easier for others to take advantage of you. If this is something that you need to work on, inward reflection may be one of the most valuable steps you can take to detoxify your relationships. After all, you have to love yourself before you can love anyone else – an adage that rings true for all forms of relationships.
Set boundaries and expectations
Set aside time to take note of exactly what you expect from those around you – respect, kindness, unconditional support, whatever it is that’s important to you. This will help you set clear and positive goals you can work towards alongside them and give you a direction to implement change, which is one of the strongest propellers of action.
All of the relationships we hold with those in our lives have the potential to slip into unhealthy patterns. But this doesn’t mean they’re unfixable. In fact, recognising this presents the opportunity to improve and strengthen your relationships, and cleanse your life of any negative energy that may be weighing you down.
Sometimes, the best thing you can do for your relationships is to escape the day-to-day for a full recharge and reset. If you and your significant other need some time away to focus on spending quality time with each other, book a stay at Eden Health Retreat this Valentine’s Day for the ultimate romantic getaway that will benefit you far beyond your time with us. Or if you plan to spend the day solo, treat yourself to the getaway of a lifetime to focus on you.
We have limited bookings available for February. Click here to book now, or click here to purchase an Eden Health Retreat Gift Certificate and give your loved one the gift of wellness this Valentine’s Day – something they’re bound to love.
