What is Social Wellness ?
Social wellness involves balancing our own physical. Mental, emotional, and spiritual health. Also building healthy, nurturing and supportive relationships with others and care about the greater good of society, including our communities and the environment.
Social wellness is important, because the positive effects of developing and maintaining healthy relationships are endless. Individuals who have healthy relationships, and strong social networks incline to live longer and respond better to stress and anxiety resulting in a healthier endocrine system, healthier cardiovascular functioning and an enhanced immune system.
Promoting social wellness is like keeping a flower garden—it takes purpose, energy, time, care and labour—and is an ongoing process that involves devotion during our whole life. I believe a lot of people just don’t know where to start. Try new things. You might find something you never thought you’d love! There are lots of sites with lists and calendars of events going on and lots of them are free. You don’t have to do things that cost a lot of money.
Social wellness is a vital part of your overall health. As human beings, we are social creatures. That means we need relationships; we do not do well in isolation. Studies show that individuals who are socially isolated have a greater rate of illness, a higher rate of chronic disease, and actually 2-3 times the death rate of people who are not socially isolated. The work/life balance can be challenging, and we all have full schedules, so occasionally we are not able to spend time with our friends and family like we hope we could. So, it’s actually important to make sure you’re scheduling that.
How can I improve my social wellness?
- Ask for help. Make a list of ways others can help.
- Get organized.
- Try to take breaks each day.
- Keep up with your hobbies and interests when you can.
- Join a caregiver’s support group.
- Eat healthy foods, and exercise as often as you can.
- Build your skills.
Practice self-care – Self care involves embracing basic needs such as brushing teeth, bathing, getting enough sleep, exercising, eating healthy and avoiding negative coping mechanisms like smoking or over drinking. Furthermore, using constructive coping skills to cope with stress, self soothe and relax through fulfilling or creative outlets like hobbies, crafts, art, sports activities, hiking, dancing, and social interactions with friends. Additionally, you may choose to engage in activities that nurture you emotionally, mentally, or spiritually, such as meditation, yoga, therapy, taking classes in areas of interest, spiritual retreats.
Know thyself- Get to know who you are- recognise your needs, preferences and values and communicate them to others around you. Knowing who you are, who you desire to be and where your boundaries lie supports you to engage in positive relationships with individuals who have related interests and values, and can relate to you while encouraging your growth.
Don’t criticise, judge or blame – No one likes to be judged or criticised or blamed, and if those dynamics are present, it can indicate an unhealthy, and potentially abusive relationship.
Own up to your part – When an individual argues for the sake of being “right” rather than trying to understand the other side, the other person may feel disregarded or unheard. This can result in resentment, promote conflict and the eventual end of the relationship.
Rekindle old friendships and nurture relationships with people who are respectful, and supportive – No human being is unflawed. Everybody gets caught up in the challenges of daily life at times, and renewing old relations that have been positive ones in the past is a great way to strengthen your social support system. Preserving friendships with individuals who respect, love and acknowledge you for who you are is essential to our social wellness.
Don’t be a flake – Be thoughtful of the commitments you make and keep them. Recognise your limits and don’t spread yourself too thin. Before making a commitment, be sure that you can realistically meet that expectation.
Appreciate yourself and others – Frequently acknowledging the positive qualities you see in yourself and paying sincere compliments to others you care about feels good all the way around. The power of positive thinking can go a long way! Contributing more energy to positives than negatives aids to keep us happier, healthier, and more hopeful.
