The Importance of Family in Health

This is part two of a five series blog post discussing my five components to "true" wellness.
Having strong relationships with your family is crucial to overall wellness.  I am not saying you have to best friends with everyone in your entire family, but I can tell you that positive relationships with family reduces stress, eases tension, and makes daily living much more fulfilling. 

I am so fortunate to have a loving wife and three beautiful daughters.  Sometimes I take this for granted and spend too much time and energy friends, clients, and myself and forgot to take the necessary time to grow and nurture the relationships that matter the most. 

I believe having positive relationships with your family provides four main benefits.

1) Motivation.  I know some of you reading this do not have children, but maybe someday you will.  If not, I am sure that there is someone in your family the needs and depends on you.  I can tell you unquestionably that when my first daughter was born, my motivations became about her and not me.  I realized that I needed to be a better husband, better business person, better citizen, and a better role model on taking care of myself.  We all have these tendencies when some is counting on us.  Family motivates us to improve all aspects of our lives. 

2) Accountability.  Close family relationships make us accountable for our actions. This goes along with motivation, but true accountability is when a loving family member whether it be a spouse, child, sibling, or parent looks at you and without saying a word expresses disappointment.  This doesn't mean I believe in guilt trips, but I do believe that being accountable for your actions is healthy. 

3) Support.  We will have face tough choices and difficult situations in life.  I think our faith plays a major role in overcoming negative circumstances, but I think family comes in close second.  Positive family members will love you no matter what.  They will stick up for you when you need help and give you a place to fall softly when you hit the ground. 

4) Love.  Love is unspoken, but should be treated as a verb not a noun. Healthy families provide unconditional love.  I know growing up that my mom and dad didn't approve of some of my actions.  They disciplined me and showed anger at bad decisions, but they always loved me.  No matter what.  That is what love is and that is what families can provide. 

Don't take for granted the positive and healthy influence families can provide.  Make sure relationships in your family are filled with motivation, accountability, support, and most of all, love.