Spending quality time with those you love is not only good for the soul, it’s a great step toward living an altruistic life. Altruism is all about doing the most you can for others and leaving the world a better place than we found it. But that’s not all—quality time is also a win for you. While you’re giving quality time to those you love or those in need, you’re also receiving quality time to fill up your cup in return.
However, life gets busy and other tasks or work are often prioritized. So how do you put the quality in quality time? Check out these ways to make the most of quality time to help you on your journey toward an altruistic lifestyle.
Put Away Your Phone
The next time you’re with a friend, family member or even a stranger, consider putting away your phone. It’s one of the biggest distractors in our lives, because it’s always with us and always on. Consider dinner with a “no-phone policy” where everybody has to leave their phones on silent and in a basket or a different room. At the conclusion of dinner, allow your guests to retrieve their phones. Or, simply flip your phone upside down on the table for the duration of a conversation. Without the distractions, this opens up the door for more quality conversation where everybody is paying attention to what is being said.
Practice Active Listening
There’s listening and then there is active listening. Passive listening is when you’re hearing the words but not necessarily paying attention enough to comprehend and respond. Active listening involves absorbing the information with no distractions and truly comprehending and responding to the content. Without active listening, quality time is simply time. Make sure you’re engaged in the conversation to maximize your time together.
Do Activities Together
Teach your loved ones about what you like to do and have them do the same. Having a shared interest in a hobby can be an easy way to spend quality time together. Don’t be afraid to try something new in order to spend time with those you love. For example, maybe you aren’t sure about camping, but your loved one loves the outdoors. Compromise by giving it a try but bringing some items so you don’t have to totally “rough it.” There are tons of ways to compromise and open your eyes to a fun hobby you can do with your loved ones in the future. Also, consider volunteering with your loved ones. This is the perfect way to get some quality time while giving back to your community.
Mark Your Calendar
We’re all guilty of saying “We should meet up sometime!” and then never following through. When you actually make a plan and put it on the calendar, you’re much less likely to cancel. Find space on a weekly or monthly basis to check in with those you love, even if only for a short while. This will not only improve your relationships with those you’re chatting with, but will also boost your mood.
Remember that quality time isn’t necessarily about quantity. Instead, it’s about making the most of the time you have available. When you have the time, make sure you’re actively listening. Put away your phone or other distractions, and you’ll be surprised at the meaningful connections you can make. Don’t be afraid to try new things and get those you love to do the same!
