Surround yourself with ‘good’ people
We’re all different. What affects someone’s mental well-being won’t necessarily affect others in the same way. But one thing for sure, we all have a choice with who we spend our valuable time with.
Having good relationships with other people is the most important factor contributing to a sense of healthy well-being. People have a huge impact on your life. “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” Some people can be parasites. I love the phrase ‘mood hoovers’, they suck out your happiness, energy and maybe some of your tangible resources as well. With this in mind, think about the people you’re spending time with the same way you think about what you eat and how you’re exercising.
So what makes someone a ‘good’ person to spend time with?
The ‘good’ people you’re looking for are positive, happy people that enrich your life.
They can be:* Family members* Friends* Colleagues* People that frequent the same coffee shop or support group
Benefits of surrounding yourself with these ‘good’ people
They are people that will inspire you to be a better person, provide you with motivation to achieve your personal goals, empower you to make the changes you need to succeed and cheer on your success. They have your best interests at heart.
In the workplace, ‘good’ people tend to be productive people. They’re organised, create schedules they stick to and don’t get easily distracted from the end goal. And all this helps you to be more productive!
It’s important to note that ‘good’ doesn’t mean similar. Too much of the same thing can inhibit growth. You want to have diversity and healthy arguments. You should have an eagerness to soak up knowledge, and differing perspectives can help you with that.
Think about the people you spend the most time with
Write down the qualities of the people you spend the most time with. Would you call them positive people? Happy?
Now think of how they interact and affect you:- Do they make you feel like you have what it takes to reach your goals?- Do they support you?- Do they make you feel attractive?- You you feel happy and energised after spending time with them?
If you answered “yes” to these questions, you’re probably already surrounded by the ‘good’ people you need to maintain your emotional well-being.
We are all different
There are things that make you happy that might not make me happy. Your idea of support may differ from the next person’s. The key is finding the people that are ‘good’ for you.
So how do you do that? Remember that like attracts like. You have to give off positive vibes and be confident. You also have to be yourself. This will lead you to the people that are right for you. You may also need to practice forgiveness. Resentment only breeds bitterness and unhappiness, and it’s time to let the negativity go.
When you’re surrounded by ‘good’ people, you’re surrounded by the best life. You’ll be less stressed and find more joy in daily things.
It’s your responsibility to look after your own emotional health. Make choices to distance yourself or cut ties with people who are not helping you lead a positive, fulfilling life. Take a step back, and decide who you will allow into your life.
Today, make a commitment to start spending more time with the ‘good’ people in your life. There are several ways I help people do this, by building confidence, improving communication and setting boundaries.