How can we establish open and honest communication about our health needs and concerns?

[Anonymous]

[Sufrata]

Well there are some things to watch out for and if you're asking Im assuming you want to start the honest & open communication as well.

There are some things you need to keep in mind when trying to achieve that. I'll try put a few points up, maybe that will give you a good start.

First of all, having a healthy set of boundaries. That means saying when someone crosses your line, actually saying it out loud and not only in your head. Assertive communication style is strongly recommended! But note that sometimes other styles of communications are more fitting, it all depends on the situation at hand. Assertiviness is not everything. But that also means you'll have to respect the other persons boundaries as well as they also have them. Its not always about me, myself and I.

2. Emotional control. You can't have open & honest relationship if you snap at every little thing or cry/whine at every little thing. Learn to control that prefrontal cortex, adress those issues. If you can't do that, it will take at least 100ys to learn how to have an open & honest relationship, by then, you'll be dead. Also, aging does help in controling it.

3. Have empathy. This one may be a bit harder to learn as some people have more natural affinity for it than the others. But it basically comes down to "feeling" the other persons pain at that moment. Trying to understand it. If you're not one thats more naturally inclined to it, thats okay. People do appreciate when they see that you put in the effort to actually understand them. That goes a long way.

4. Listening skills. Hone your skills in listening. That means listening to understand, not to answer. There's a big difference between those two. Its making sure that the other person feels heard, that their feelings are validated. People dont care about your solutions to a problem if theyre bawling their eyes out. Thats a moment when emotions are on a rampage and logic flies out of the window (mostly).

5. This applies more to romantic relationships but I think, it can also easily applied to other sorts of relationships as well. That is, knowing when to put more effort in the relationship. Life happens, we get good times and bad times and we can't always stand perfectly at 50/50 effort from both sides. Sometimes it will be 30/70 and sometimes it will be 80/20. As long both parties want to cultivate the relationship, effort will be needed, it will not always equally. Which would result in deeper relationship = deeper trust. When you have deep trust, the communication will/would be easier as well.

6. Have courage. Sometimes well just need to have faith in ourselves to take the step and be honest. As long you do it respectfully, most of the times, it would go down well. It really depends on the person on the receiving end.

Just a few things that popped into my head, hope it helped in some way.

Cheers!

[kylee2437]

That should come naturally to be honest. I noticed if someone doesn’t have an open mind, chances are their communication is just going to be awful in general.

[In_Trance]

Are you trying to tell her you don't rail often enough?

[On_cloud_wine]

For example: I called out of work and was open and honest about my menstrual cramps..

. I told them I was bleeding all over the place, I threw up my coffee and now my throat is burning, I’m so bloated that I can’t stand up straight. It feels like cats are clawing their way through my lower abdomen with 8 inch razor sharp claws. I’m dizzy and drowsy and high on Midol and I feel like death.

[TrueConfection]

By ending the drug dealer mentality/role that's taken over the medical profession.

[Jazzy54]

Finding safe people do discuss it with.

[es20490446e]

Is this an exam or something?