7 Relationship Resolutions For 2012 [EXPERT]

Almost everyone I know makes goals or intentions related to their business, and many people make resolutions related to health and fitness. But how many of you make resolutions for your relationships?

Relationships are arguably the most important aspect of a person’s life. Even if you’re not currently in a romantic relationship, you have relationships with friends, family (if you’re lucky) and co-workers or colleagues. You can’t live in the world without having relationships, and relationships take work. Just like your business or your health, relationships thrive when you put your positive attention and energy into them.

Here are seven resolutions for you to consider for 2012.

1. Resolve to treat yourself better this year. Whether that means putting healthy food in your body, getting more sleep or being more compassionate with yourself for your perceived shortcomings. Start the new year by treating yourself as you’d like others to treat you and watch how your relationships change. 25 Simple Self-Care Habits For A Happier Love Life
2. Resolve to decide which of your relationships are most important to you. Try this: take a piece of paper and a draw as large of a circle as will fit on the page. Inside the circle, draw two concentric, smaller circles (like a bulls-eye). The smallest circle in the center represents your "A" relationships: those which nurture you, make you feel better about yourself and support you. The second circle represents your "B" relationships. These relationships are good, but not as important as the inner circle. Last, the outer ring represents your "C" relationships. These are people you can’t or don’t want to cut contact with, but they’re not supportive relationships (toxic relatives fall in this category).
3. Resolve to spend quality time with the people you’ve decided are most important to you. Talk with each of the people in your "A" circle and together decide how you want to nurture your relationship with each other. This requires a commitment on your part. It requires a resolution to stay focused on the relationships that nurture you. Are you willing to make that resolution?
4. Resolve to say NO to demands on your time from people who don’t support you. This is a little more difficult than spending time with people you love who support you. This resolution may mean that you limit contact with a toxic parent or sibling. It may mean that you finally end the romantic relationship that’s not moving in the direction you desire. Are you willing to make that resolution?
5. For romantic relationships, resolve to hug your partner every day for at least 20 seconds. That’s about how long it takes for oxytocin to start flowing through your system, making you feel closer to your partner. Oxytocin, also known as the "cuddle hormone", works to make you feel better about people you...yup... cuddle with. Especially when you’ve been with someone for a long time, cuddling can fall to the bottom of the priority list.