What is Relational wellness
Wellness in the relational dimension is the ability to establish and maintain meaningful connections, networks, relationships, and interactions with other individuals, groups, and communities. Relating well to others both within and outside of the family unit and fostering a genuine connection with those around us. This includes valuing the needs of others, providing support and encouragement, as well as recognizing and appropriately responding to social cues.
Relational wellness includes, but is not limited to:
- Communication skills
- Capacity for connection/intimacy
- Managing interpersonal disputes
- Willingness to ask for help
- Ability to cultivate and maintain satisfying relationships
- Establishing a support network
- Caring for/encouraging others
- Being a strong team player or group partner
- Sharing appropriately
- Recognizing social cues/respectful behaviour
On-Campus Communities
There are plenty of communities of like-minded people available on campus. From student associations and clubs to athletic groups, there will always be a community for you.
- Engineering Society (ENG Soc)
- ECE Society
- Women in Engineering Living-Learning Community
- Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association (WUSA) – 400 clubs
- Graduate Student Association (Waterloo), ECE GSA, MME GSA
- Waterloo Athletics (classes, intramurals, and more)
- Move Your Mind
Resources
Looking to enhance your relational wellness? Below are some resources both on and off campus, as well as general information related to relational wellness.
Tips On Managing Relational Wellness
- Spend time with loved ones: whether it's your friends or family, spending time together doing something everyone enjoys is a great way to deepen your bond with them. Going on a road trip, playing sports, binge-watching a show together, or even as simple as having a meal or beverage together are all great ways to spend time with your loved ones.
- Join a community: a community of people you have something in common with is a great way to meet new people and form relationships. Communities of people can be religious faiths, nationality groups, sports groups (basketball, hockey, bowling), or even a hobby club (art, music, cooking, book club). If you are a student, WUSA supports hundreds of clubs, from student societies to even a cheese club, there is a club for everyone.
- Maintain healthy boundaries: for all our relationships to flourish, there must be a mutual respect and understanding between us and them. How you treat your best friend since high school will probably be quite different from how you treat your boss or a client. Establishing healthy boundaries helps set expectations in a relationship, keeps you and the other person safe and comfortable, and can direct you on how to support each other. Some examples of boundaries include physical, intellectual, emotional, financial, or intimate (BetterUp).
- Recognize an unhealthy relationship: healthy relationships with anyone includes mutual trust, respect, support, and honesty. Clear communication, being able to maintain individuality, and solving conflicts and disagreements with poise are just some of the signs of a healthy relationship. The signs of an unhealthy relationship can include dishonesty, criticizing personal attributes (i.e race, gender, sexual orientation, disability), harming or threatening, encouraging harmful activity, and not being able to feel safe around the other party (Columbia University).