Everyone is guilty of a white lie here and there. However, mental as well as physical health could be affected by lying. A new study lends factual support on the saying that honesty is indeed the best policy.
University of Notre Dame’s project called “Science of Honesty” asked a bunch of people to quit telling minor and major fibs for 10 weeks. At the experiment’s end, the test subjects said they noted feeling less sad and tense once they gave quit lying. The subjects likewise reported experiencing decreased physical symptoms like sore throats and headaches.
Ways to Avoid Telling White Lies
Practicing total honesty in daily living can be quite the challenge. Below are tips for avoiding white lies easier.
- Quit with the excuses – Be more accountable. If you end up being late for a date, simply apologize for your tardiness rather than make up a story about a car pile-up.
- Get to the point – A direct approach trumps manipulation in terms of effectiveness. Ask a pal on a weekend trip to relax instead of trying to persuade her that she looks exhausted and should take a breather.
- Paint an accurate picture of yourself – Dare to share with others and feel free to express what you truly feel inside. Give your opinions, even if they’re unpopular.
- Exercise tact – Unpleasant situations and topics are easier to address when words are chosen wisely. It likewise doesn’t hurt to pick a decent place and time for the discussion. Consider how you’d wish somebody talked to you about a controversial subject and act the same way.
- Get real – They say an average individual tells upwards of 10 lies weekly. Candor calls for more effort. Pat yourself on the back for each time you risk being frank instead of crouching behind an untruth.
- Keep promises – Making up stories won’t be necessary if you stay true to your word and keep promises. Recognize personal limitations and shoulder only what you’re capable of handling.
- Address conflicts – People often opt to keep their mouths shut because it’s easier than facing the conflict head-on. Decide when to keep quiet and when to speak up to resolve differences.
- Think the way nurses do – A Gallup survey discovered that nurses were particularly candid, which is understandable, given that it’s somebody’s health on the line. Think how you’re impacting the world every time you’re leaning toward uttering a falsehood.
Below are more tips for maintaining honesty in certain situations:
- Assess personal parenting skills – Your children offer loads of motivation to become great role models. Embracing honesty in life means your kids will do so too. Assist them in achieving high emotional intelligence and balanced communication skills. This way, they’ll mature into resourceful and hardy folk.
- Be more honest in the workplace – Choose a job that doesn’t force you to compromise your values. Find a way to stay truthful to coworkers and the bosses while still being respectful.
- Enhance intimate relationships – Being brave enough to tell it like it is will strengthen the bond with your mate. The mutual feelings of acceptance will improve the connection.
- Do self-reflection – Devote time to checking on your current “honesty” state in everyday living. Don’t aim for perfection; concentrate on progressing down the honesty track.
Lies don’t do the body and mind any favors, whereas honesty keeps the two sound and healthy. Fibs are tough to keep track the more of them you have, which in turn stresses you out. With honesty mixed in with a bit of sensitivity, you stand to reinforce relationships and you end up feeling great about others and yourself.
