Disagreements with coworkers, heated debates with family, or fights with your romantic partner—knowing how to navigate them in a way that reduces the flame and increases understanding and compassion it the key to walking away as a stronger team.
Let's take five minutes to see this week in a new light. | | | Arguments are bound to arise at many points in our life. Whether handling disagreements with coworkers, heated debates with family, or fights with your romantic partner, knowing how to navigate them in a way that reduces the flame and increases understanding and compassion is the key to walking away as a stronger team. | | | Conflict is virtually inevitable in relationships and not necessarily a sign of trouble. You can reduce a significant amount of stress and strengthen your relationships at the same time if you build the knowledge and skills to handle conflict in a healthy way." | | | We all have ingrained behaviors. Sometimes our approach works, but other times it's just a defense mechanism that isn't necessarily working in our favor. Some signs of communication problems include assuming you know what the other is thinking or feeling, criticism and blaming, stonewalling or giving "the silent treatment," defensiveness, yelling or swearing, storming away, and explosive reactions. | Learning how to deal with arguments in a healthy way takes practice, patience, and time. Here are a few tools that can help you navigate fights in a way that allows both parties to feel understood. - Be open-minded about their perspective: The other person is most likely not acting with any sort of malice. Be open to their perspective and listen to what they have to say. Kindly request that they do the same for you.
- Understand your own feelings: Sometimes we don't fully understand the feelings we're experiencing. Give yourself some space to dig deeper to determine why you're feeling upset.
- Express yourself clearly: A lot of extra stuff can get in the way when we're trying to communicate our position. Clearly communicate what you need, why you're feeling the way you are, and what you need from the other person. Nix blame, criticism, and psychoanalysis of the other.
- Be ready to compromise: Very seldom does an argument conclude with one person "getting their way." Generally speaking, the sooner you can arrive to compromise—even if you don't fully understand the other's POV—the better.
If your argument is going off the rails, step back to take a breather and reconvene at a set time within the next 24 hours. | Knowing what not to do can sometimes be just as beneficial as following a list of to-do's. Here are some common mistakes we make when dealing with conflict: - Sweeping it under the rug: It might be easier to side-step the argument altogether, but this can backfire in the long run. It's much better to lay it on the table and effectively communicate.
- Having a "me versus you" mindset: The common goal is to resolve the conflict and feel heard. By approaching an argument as "us versus the problem," you'll get to the finish line more quickly.
- Trying to be "right" or get "your way": The other person may never see things the same way as you and attempting to re-frame their viewpoint completely may prove futile. Look for a compromise or agree to disagree.
- Attacking their character: Attacking someone will only backfire. Remember to take an "us versus the problem" approach.
- Forgetting to listen: Saying your piece is important, but both parties deserve to be heard. Listen when they make their point, acknowledge and try to understand it, then ask they do the same for you.
| | | Ways to Stay Positive This Week | | | Ways to Nurture Your Mind and Body | -
Today, take 10 minutes to reflect on a recent conflict you had. What happened that might have sent the argument careening? What actions reeled it back in? Write down some ways you could have handled yourself better, and what you can do differently next time. If things went well, write down what steps you and the other took to arrive at a healthy resolution. Keep these things in mind the next time an argument arises. | | | Share the newsletter with someone you know to make their day a little brighter. | | | We're open to suggestions! If you have any feedback about this newsletter, let us know at feedback@verywell.com. | | | You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the Healthy Mind newsletter. If you wish to unsubscribe, please click here. If someone forwarded you this email, you can subscribe here! A DOTDASH MEREDITH BRAND 28 Liberty Street, 7th Floor, New York, NY, 10005 © 2022 Verywellmind.com - All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | | | |
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