Good Relationships = Good Life
I recently learned that the beautiful Aspen tree, known for its bright yellow leaves in the fall, never exists by itself. One Aspen tree is only a small part of a larger organism. The main life force of an Aspen is located underground in the extensive root system. A group of Aspens is called a clone. The oldest and largest known Aspen clone has lived more than 80,000 years and is in Utah’s Fishlake National Forest. Because these trees are literally rooted in each other, they stand the test of time.
It turns out the same thing is true for humans. When we are rooted in quality relationships with others we are happier and live longer, healthier lives.
This 12-minute TED Talk, What Makes A Good Life: Lessons from the Longest Study on Happiness, provides great insights grounded in years of research. Consider how you can build stronger relationships in your life and at work.
I would be remiss if I didn’t encourage you to partner with a friend, family member, or co-worker and do these stretch videos together. Shared experiences are also a great way to build strong relationships.
Click here for this week’s video
I didn’t record a mindful breathing exercise, but here is one for you to try if you would like. It is unique and it works great for relaxation. It is called Bhramari Pranayma breathing. Here are the steps:
Sit in a comfortable position and place your thumbs over your ears to block outside sounds.
With your thumbs covering your ears, place your index fingers above your eyebrows and use the remaining fingers to hold your eyes closed.
Take a deep inhale, then exhale slowly through the nose while making a humming sound. Focus your attention on the area between your eyebrows.
Do this for a minute or two and as often as needed for relaxation.
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