July is Social Wellness Month, which brings awareness to the importance of social wellness in your life and how essential it is to your total wellness and health goals. Social wellness is about nurturing yourself and your relationships with others. That means giving and receiving social support, ensuring that the people in your life are there for you, and vice versa. In times of hardship, it’s essential to have someone you can count on. in times of hardship. Having the proper social support in your life can enhance your quality of life in many different ways.
There are three types of support systems within social wellness:
- Emotional support refers to the actions people take to make someone else feel cared for.
- Instrumental support refers to the physical, such as money and housekeeping.
- Informational support means providing information to help someone.
Research shows that:
- People who have a solid social support network tend to live longer.
- Those with healthy relationships respond better to stress.
- Strong social wellness is associated with healthier endocrine and cardiovascular functions.
If you are looking to have a healthier social management style, here are the 5 best ways to manage your social wellness this month.
- Practice Self-Care
Embracing self-care can allow you to find more balance in the stresses that come with life. You are more likely to resolve problems in your life when practicing proper self-care to relieve stress. Self-care embraces basic needs such as getting enough sleep, bathing, brushing your teeth, eating healthy, exercising regularly, and avoiding harmful coping mechanisms like smoking or over-drink.
This also includes fulfilling all of your hobbies and creative outlets within your life, don’t forget to take time out of your day to do something that makes you happy!
- Get to know yourself
Make sure you identify your needs and preferences that add value to your social wellness awareness. Get more in touch with who you are and what you want within your social circle, and the boundaries set up to engage in positive relationships. Sharing similar interests with others and the same values allows you to relate more to your friends and encourage your growth as a person.
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Rekindle old friendships
By nurturing a relationship with people you feel are respectful and positively impacting your life, it’s important to evaluate why you and someone you know may have fallen out as friends. No one is perfect; that’s why maintaining friendships with people who show love and respect is key to improving your social wellness. Rekindling old relationships can have a positive impact on creating a solid social support system.
- Stay Committed
Commitments are meaningful when trying to maintain a friendship. Don’t spread yourself too thin. Before making a commitment, make sure that you won’t “flake”. Expectations to show up are high on the list regarding social wellness and building those friendships you want to keep. No one appreciates a flaky friend.
- Don’t be afraid to try new things
Getting out and trying new things is a great way to make new friends or build quality time between your current friends. Here are some things you can try that can support your social wellness.
Exercising
Trying new workouts or joining a gym allows you to find new groups and meet people with the same interests as you. Try joining a workout class like yoga or cycling.
Volunteer
By volunteering, you can meet others with the same kinds of passions you have for specific causes. Try donating some time to your favorite charity or community program.
Hobbies
Finding others who have similar interests and hobbies is a great way to connect with friends. Try new pursuits like hiking, painting, or take up a class that you always wanted to try. Work towards a goal that you and your friend can get better at together.
Cultivating social wellness is an ongoing process that requires attention throughout your life and is not something that can be totally improved overnight. Your social wellness needs care and attention to grow and improve. Social wellness includes openly communicating, trust, empathy, and listening. Building and maintaining meaningful friendships can lead to a happier and healthier lifestyle.
Don’t delay, pick up the phone and make an appointment with Cheshire Wellness Center to reclaim your wellness.
By using natural health care methods, you can shape your lifelong wellness and health goals and be successful. Help yourself by creating the habits that maintain a happy and healthy family.
