I find that many people who struggle with overweight and obesity, also have problems that are connected with relationships.  Many clients of mine of the years have reported being very lonely, or in difficult relationships, either with their spouse or partner; also with parents, bosses, etc.

On thing that has helped me in my relationship “issues” is to be a good listener.  Believing in the Golden Rule (do unto others as you would like them to do with you), I find that in order to be really heard, I have to really listen.

So I take the time to truly, deeply listen to people.  I practice a technique that Harville Hendrix and Helen LaKelly Hunt taught me years ago, in their workshops and in collaborating together.  That’s the technique of “mirroring.”  It’s simple:  listen carefully, and then where there’s a moment, paraphrase back what you heard.  This conveys to the sender that they have been truly heard, and acknowledged.

This goes a long way to building empathy.
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