Be more compassionate in your relationship by learning these 6 things

oge okonkwo

May 29, 2015 10:19 PM

In relationships, compassion can often take a back seat

According to Genevieve Lill of Huffington Post, in Tara Parker-Pope's recent New York Times feature, "Is Marriage Good For Your Health?", she reports on a study that shows the presence of at least one loving, compassionate word or phrase during an argument between a couple can lower a woman's risk of heart disease. Women in arguments where endearment is lacking are at greater risk of developing the disease, regardless of the subject or intensity of the fight.

Lill explains that in relationships, compassion can often take a back seat. Life is busy. We stop making the effort to be in his shoes or to see his point of view when it's one we disagree with, or worse, one we believe is intended to or is actually hurting us. Especially in the midst of disagreements, taking a moment to pause, taking ourselves out of the equation and attempting to see a partner's POV can be crucial. Like any behavior, reprogramming ourselves to listen and breathe instead of lash out, takes practice.

Lill gives 6 ways to practice increased compassion in your relationships:

oge okonkwo