As humans, one of our fundamental needs is to feel connected to others. A Harvard study, which was a study on the health of 2nd-year undergraduate students of 1938, found that one of the main influences on our health and happiness is our relationships and our happiness in the relationships we have.

The relationships we have can include our significant others, families, friends and wider social circles. Emotional and mental stimulation comes from personal connections, which are an automatic mood booster. Whilst isolation and loneliness is a mood buster. It’s also important that we focus on and nurture our positive fulfilling relationships, whilst trying to minimise our time spent with or totally step away from negative relationships.

Next, you will identify up to 5 key relationships in your life and set goals around improving two of these relationships.

The quality of our relationships has a big impact on our happiness. Unfortunately, not all relationships are created equally. Check out some common relationships below.

Think of your most important or key relationships. From the drop-down menu, choose the type of relationship that you have with that person.

You can choose up to 5 of the most important relationships in your life, but you don’t have to fill out all of them.

You only need to set two relationships goals at a time (we don’t want you to be overwhelmed).

This is the first goal.

Choose someone from your key relationships and set a goal about how you want to improve that relationship (Improving a relationship can mean taking a step back if the relationship is unhealthy or toxic).

This is your second relationship goal.

Choose someone from your key relationships and set a goal about how you want to improve that relationship (Improving a relationship can mean taking a step back if the relationship is unhealthy).

You’ve just set some relationship goals, here is another way to improve the other types of relationships you might have.

Relationships with friends and family have an important influence on your wellbeing, but what about all the other people you meet and interact with day-to-day, such as shop assistants, fellow students or coworkers and fellow commuters? Have you noticed how someone being especially helpful or friendly can make you feel happier and more connected?

Think of the people outside of your key relationships that you meet in your day-to-day life. Your boss, the receptionist, the guy who makes you coffee… Choose one of these people and set a goal of doing something to make the connection more meaningful or boost that person’s mood next time you meet. Chances are, it’ll make you both feel better!

Think of the people outside of your key relationships that you meet in your day-to-day life. Your boss, the receptionist, the guy who makes your coffee… Choose one of these people and set a goal of doing something to make the connection more meaningful or boost that person’s mood next time you meet. Chances are, it’ll make you both feel better!