I contemplated writing this article, which was previously written as a much shorter Daily Tip. I thought it might be too short, too narrow a topic, and too obvious. What more can be said about showing respect to others, other than just show respect? Then I considered the benefits of doing so and how this relates to the purpose behind regainyouredge.com – helping others regain their edge.
Respect is more than just having good manners; it has health benefits. It has been shown that social connections improve one’s life and wellbeing [1]. Disrespect, on the other hand, leads to mental and physical issues that can negatively impact your health [2].
In this article, we’ll explore why respect matters, how to be respectful, and how it impacts your health and life.
Why Show Respect? The Key to Better Health
Being respectful isn’t just being polite. It can help:
- Lower stress and reduce cortisol levels
- Improve heart health by reducing blood pressure
- Boost mood and decrease the risk of suffering from anxiety and depression
- Increase your lifespan by strengthening social relations
- Make you feel more confident and emotionally balanced
- Strengthen relationships and communication
- Reduce friction and mental fatigue
- Result in a positive cycle of trust
What Happens When You Don’t Show Respect?
Disrespecting people or showing little respect can:
- Increase cortisol levels, which can lead to high blood pressure.
- Weaken the immune system, increasing the risk of illness.
- Create conflict and emotional strain thereby hurting relationships.
- Lead to reduced focus.
How to Show Respect in Everyday Life
How you act is just as important as the words you say. Showing respect has more to do with actions than words. Adopting simple daily habits can have a big impact on how people see you and how you feel about yourself. Here are some straightforward ways to show respect in your day to day life.
1. Listen More, Talk Less
- Give others your full attention—put down your phone and make eye contact. Be sure to follow up with thoughtful questions rather than just parroting back someone’s words.
- Don’t interrupt others—let them finish their thoughts before responding.
- Acknowledge other’s opinions—even if you disagree, to show you listened to them.
2. Use Kind and Encouraging Words
- Say “please” and “thank you”—these niceties make a big difference.
- Give genuine compliments—praising others builds connection.
- Avoid harsh criticism—provide feedback that’s constructive and not hurtful.
- Address others properly – say sir or ma’am to those who are older than you or those who serve you.
3. Respect Personal Space and Boundaries
- Pay attention to body language—if someone seems uncomfortable, change the way you approach the situation.
- Be mindful of tone—how you say something matters as much as what you say.
- Honor people’s privacy—don’t try to get involved in personal matters unless invited.
- Be aware of what’s going on around you – give up your seat on a crowded bus or train to those that are much older or look like they need to sit. Be sure not to embarrass anyone, be discrete.
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4. Show Gratitude and Appreciation
- Recognize the efforts of others—let people know you value their contributions. An example is thanking a military veteran for their service
- Express appreciation—a simple “I appreciate you” builds relationships.
- Give respect to get respect—it’s a cycle that benefits everyone.
Reciprocal Respect: Give and Take
There is an argument that not all people deserve respect. Another argument is that you have to earn respect. Treating others well is your choice, even if it isn’t reciprocated. Chances are, if you treat others well, they will also behave with respect. People are more likely to respond positively when treated with kindness, patience, and dignity.
- It decreases conflict—shared respect prevents unnecessary tension and misunderstanding one another.
- Respect builds trust—when both sides feel well treated, relationships grow.
- It builds social influence—most people want to build up and support others that treat them well.
Borrowing from teachings of Stoicism; you don’t have control over other people’s behavior, only your own.
- You can’t control others, but you can control how you respond to others. If someone shows anger toward you, don’t reciprocate.
- Respect is a reflection of your character, not someone else’s.
- Showing patience and composure makes you mentally stronger.
Conclusion: Respect as a Wellness Habit
When we talk about respect we are describing a series of actions, words, and behaviors to use around others that 1/strengthens relationships; 2/maintains social cohesion; 3/reduces stress; 4/supports mental and physical well being. Showing disrespect does the opposite, creating tension, anxiety and impacting your health.
It isn’t difficult to show respect and it definitely has its upside. As part of my years of martial arts training I learned the etiquette highlighting the culture of respect; it isn’t just about being polite, it has more to do with the rules surrounding social interaction. The more you give, the more you will get in return, making a life of showing respect a great way to put you on your way to regaining your edge.
Check out Ten Standard Rules of Life that are Unbelievably Easy.
