Learning from genetics to improve our relationships
Can you look at someone’s face and tell how they are feeling? How empathic are you?
It turns out this ability is linked to relationship health, and influenced by our genetics — and it’s something you can easily learn about your own genes.
Researchers have found that people with certain genetic variants are better at resolving conflicts, feel closer to their partners, and feel more secure in their relationships. Some variants increase oxytocin, which increase emotional empathy and bonding. Oxytocin is also linked to our ability to read faces. You can find out how well you are genetically equipped in the link below.
Find Out What Your Genes Say About Your Relationships
High empathy and oxytocin alone won’t save you from relationship pitfalls. There are of course many high empathy people who attract low empathy partners. You see, these genes can lead you to be more empathic towards the pain of a partner, but they don’t guarantee your partner will be empathic back, and some people need that extra empathy in order for their sketchy relational behavior to be tolerated.
The good news, if you struggle with attracting low-empathy partners, boundaries work and resolving the pain of the past can really benefit you.
And if you struggle with not having enough empathy — you struggle to relate to your partners’ emotions — the research suggests you can boost your oxytocin by doing yoga. You can also learn to read faces and body language better.
We all know genetics isn’t everything — environment plays a role, and you can change your attachment style and how you empathize with people.
If you’re disappointed with the hand that nature dealt you, or didn’t quite win the parent lottery, I help people shift their attachment style, develop better boundaries, and resolve old relationship trauma for easier and more joyful relationships.
References:
https://selfdecode.com/blog/article/oxytocin-relationships-9/
Source:https://selfdecode.com/blog/article/oxytocin-relationships-9/
Early dating can be exciting—new connection, fresh possibilities, all those little moments that make you wonder where this could go.
But excitement alone doesn’t build a secure, fulfilling relationship.
Sometimes, that rush of attraction makes us ignore red flags. Other times, we get so caught up in where we hope things are heading that we stop listening to ourselves.
If you’ve ever found yourself waiting for mixed signals to turn into clarity, brushing aside your own needs to “see where things go,” or doubting your gut when something feels off—you’re not alone. And the good news? You don’t have to stay stuck in that pattern.