How to Cultivate Your Social Wellness and the Benefits
Aug 26, 2024
Many people like to have meaningful relationships and interactions. Social wellness is integral to building a good quality of life, and it can impact your physical and mental well-being in the long run. Some people may feel awkward or self-conscious around others, but all you need to do is take a deep breath.
Why Prioritize Social Wellness?
Social wellness is beneficial to people’s mental health for a variety of reasons. For one, loneliness is associated with mental health problems like anxiety and depression. It was evident during the pandemic when people were isolated from loved ones, acquaintances and more.
As things return to normal, avoiding such problems and surrounding yourself with people you like and love is paramount. Developing a family and friendships can make your life feel much more fruitful. Plus, you can lean on them when life gets hard.
Social wellness can also benefit personal growth. There’s only so much you can teach yourself. People can teach you new skills, as well as interesting information about the world. It’s also beautiful to have new experiences and make memories.
1. Know Your Social Needs
It’s a given that everyone requires social wellness. However, it’s worth looking into what your specific needs are. Are you seeking a light conversation with various people or a deeper bond with others?
It’s also worth noting which groups you want to prioritize in your network. A Pew Research Center survey in 2021 finds 38% of people highlight the importance of family and children in making life meaningful. Only 18% think about friends and community, while 14% consider society and institutions. However, it can still vary from person to person.
2. Find Your Community
Over the past 100 years, Americans have become lonelier due to the shift from living in towns to suburbs. When you don’t live in a tight-knit community, it can be harder to have social interactions naturally.
To work on your social wellness, you need a crew of friends you can foster. They can lessen your feelings of loneliness and increase your quality of life. Finding a suitable group can take time, but here are suggestions of communities you can explore to find your people.
Online Spaces
In the golden age of tech, it’s easier than ever to connect with other people. Chime into different forums or join a group chat and make friends. Just remember to regulate your screen time, as the internet isn’t always sunshine and rainbows.
Unplugging from the screen benefits your mental well-being in the long run. Plus, you get to cultivate your social wellness offline, too.
Not-for-Profit Organizations
Nonprofit organizations aim to improve society’s welfare. In life, there’s so much significance in what you do with others and for others. Working toward a shared goal with people can give you a life purpose. Make sure you choose a cause you’re passionate about for a stronger emotional investment toward your objective and your comrades.
Activity-Based Teams
You can also consider joining local activity-based teams in your area. Sports bring people together, so you can easily find companions to spend time and play with. A golf club is a safe bet if you’re looking for something a little more leisurely. If you want to be on your feet, think of communities like yachting associations or sports leagues.
Religious Groups
Religion creates many close-knit communities, with each one sharing a similar set of beliefs. Around seven in 10 Americans are Christians. You can also join other religious groups if your principles align with theirs.
Mingle with the leaders and practitioners at their place of worship. You can ask about their faith and gain wisdom from community members.
3. Work on Communication
Working on communication is incredibly important for cultivating social wellness. Self-disclosure is a key skill because you must know how to relay personal information about yourself to others to foster intimacy. Have the self-confidence to share your history and your thoughts — it can implore others to be vulnerable with you.
When someone is talking to you, it’s also worth practicing active listening. If you ask a question, pay attention to it and ask follow-ups to keep the conversation going. Acknowledging what the other person is saying can also help you display empathy, reciprocate humor and much more.
4. Manage Your Time
Socializing can take plenty of time. You can use a time log to see how you divide up your time. Simply record your activities in 15-minute intervals throughout the week to see how you use your time.
From there, you can get your calendar and schedule slots for social gatherings. Make sure to balance those hours with other commitments, such as work or school. The weekends are usually ideal for those outings.
5. Be More Health-Conscious
Social get-togethers are fun, but you need to make sure you’re in top-notch condition to be able to enjoy it. For example, food can improve social connections among others. However, meals can get a little heavy and overwhelming. If you have dietary preferences or restrictions, you should still uphold them.
Social drinking is also big during parties. However, too much alcohol can be bad for your system. Consider having a detox after those late-night drinking parties. You can also practice moderation or go for mocktails instead.
6. Get Out of Your Comfort Zone
It’s natural to lean into your existing interests. However, social wellness is all about discovery and new experiences, so don’t be afraid to get out of your comfort zone. For example, pick a new hobby or travel to a new place. You can find people from all walks of life and maybe even meet a new best friend because of taking the leap.
7. Provide Authenticity
While socializing, you may feel a temptation to be someone else. Rather than feeding into these insecurities, hold your head up high and stay true to yourself. You don’t have to make more out of your story, as you’re good as you are.
Plus, being authentic means you get genuine connections with the people around you. You don’t want to fake who you are throughout your journey of getting to know someone. It’s disheartening to talk to a person who isn’t actually who they say they are, too.
8. Check Your Energy Levels
Your energy levels can dictate how much social interaction you can take. Going out can be harder for introverts than extroverts, as they’re more acquainted with spending time alone.
If you feel tired, don’t beat yourself up over it. Overexerting yourself isn’t the answer either. Postpone your next social outing until you can handle the crowd again.
9. Recharge with Self-Care
When your energy levels are low, you can always recharge yourself with self-care practices. For instance, take a walk through the park by yourself. You can also have a staycation to rest your body and mind. Watch your favorite show or read a new book for quality alone time.
Achieve Good Social Well-Being
Being a social butterfly can have challenges, but it can be as simple as finding people you like and sticking with them. Just remember not to forget yourself and other aspects of your health in the process. Focus on being well-rounded and social wellness will follow suit.