Relationships and mental health – CBT Kenya

Creating boundaries is a good way to keep your relationship healthy and secure. By setting boundaries together, you can both have a deeper understanding of the type of relationship that you and your partner want. Boundaries are not meant to make you feel trapped or like you’re “walking on eggshells.”

Relationships that are not healthy are based on power and control, not equality and respect. Even healthy relationships can use a boost now and then. You may need a boost if you feel disconnected from your partner or like the relationship has gotten stale.

Can a relationship make you mentally ill?

How we interact and form relationships has changed considerably over the past decade. The evolving family structure, development and reliance on online technologies and longer working hours. Research shows that people in unhappy or negative relationships have significantly worse outcomes than those who are isolated or have no relationships.

Extensive evidence shows that having good-quality relationships can help us to live longer and happier lives with fewer mental health problems. Having close, positive relationships can give us a purpose and a sense of belonging.

Loneliness and isolation remain the key predictors for poor psychological and physical health. Having a lack of good relationships and long-term feelings of loneliness have been shown by a range of studies to be associated with higher rates of mortality, poor physical health outcomes and lower life satisfaction.

Pursuing a Fulfilling Relationship

Having a mental health disorder should not be a relationship deal-breaker. When you get the help you need, you can take better control of your mental health and experience the healthiest and most fulfilling relationships possible. anyone who has ever struggled with mental health knows, you are still you – and tackling your health problems head-on simply makes you stronger.

In order for you to experience a fulfilling relationship, you must invest the time and energy to develop the relationship. A fulfilling relationship includes two partners who both invest in their own development just as much as developing the relationship.

Don’t just expect your partner to do something to make you happy.

Nobody wants to feel obligated to do anything. You would be more than willing to call your partner after work if you didn’t feel obligated. If you’re expecting your partner to always make you happy, you will never be completely satisfied in your life.

Look at yourself first instead of pointing out the flaws of your partner.

When a disagreement occurs between you and your partner, look within first before looking at the flaws of your partner. If you focus too much on your partner’s flaws, you will end up being judgmental and critical. This does nothing but weakens the foundation of your relationship.

Be very selective with the people you surround yourself with. 

Be careful with the people you call friends. They indirectly influence how you think and act. Surround yourself with people who are like-minded who value what you value.

If you feel the need to talk to a profession on how to build better and strong relationships, CBT Kenya is ready to listen to you.