Social Wellness Month

July is Social Wellness Month and Premier Patient Housing wants to help you to nurture your social wellness through your existing social relationships with friends and family, as well as encourage you to get out there and develop new ones! Read on to find out all about social relationships, how to build and maintain them, and discover their lasting impact on your physical health.

What is a Social Relationship?

In 1948, The World Health Organization identified how social well-being positively affects a person’s health. Scientists found that connecting with others help to relieve harmful levels of stress and impact our overall mental and physical health through our social bonds.

Social relationships pertain to a variety of people you interact with, including family members, friends, neighbors, and coworkers. However, not all interactions are seen as social relationships. For example, interacting with your server at a restaurant or a retail worker while you’re checking out, are not seen as social relationships as these interactions are fleeting, incidental, or perceived to have limited significance.

Tips To Building these Relationships

Building social relationships can be easy for those that enjoy, well, socializing! But, for those that have a difficult time due to mental health or anxiety, building these relationships can seem like an impossible task. Whether you’re always ready to socialize, or are ready to take on the challenge, here are a few tips to get you started on building social relationships!

• Start with the Relationships You Have – If starting a new social relationship feels like a daunting task, practice by reaching out to an existing relationship such as a family member or close friend. Send them a text, give them a call or even write them an email to help strengthen your connection and help you feel more comfortable reaching out to others.
• Try to Make Social Situations Work for You – If large social settings make you anxious or uneasy, try to go to small group get-togethers or functions. If you’re concerned that any mental health symptoms may interfere with smaller interactions, consider outdoor activities where stepping away momentarily is an option.
• Look for Opportunities to Socialize – A relationship doesn’t need to be instantly close and personal. You can start by giving yourself more chances to just meet people. Consider taking that class you’ve been interested in or volunteering for an organization you support.
• Be Kind to Yourself – You’re not going to suddenly have lots of great relationships the second you step out of your comfort zone. You may even come across people with whom a friendship may be difficult. Try to have reasonable expectations and give yourself credit and kindness for trying something new!

How to Maintain  these Relationships

You may have close friends and family, but maintaining these relationships is what makes them special. Here are a few tips on how to best maintain your relationships, both near and far!

• Stay Connected – Set aside time to check in with a family member, friend, coworker or whoever you want to stay connected with. Put this self-designated time in a calendar or set an alarm on your phone to help you to remember to reach out. Staying connected can be as easy as a text, call, or video chat.
• Show up for Others – Show those around you that you care. Going to special events for family or friends, or reaching out if you notice anyone isolating themselves is a great way to maintain and strengthen your relationships.
• Be Available – Maintaining close relationships take time and effort from everyone involved. Making yourself available for a phone call or video chat can be significant for someone in need of support. Even with demanding or conflicting schedules, it is important to set aside time for relationships and to stay connected with others.

Physical and Emotional Impact on Social Wellness

Not only do these relationships help us to build better bonds with those around us, but they can also impact our physical and emotional wellness.

Physical Impacts

According to the National Institute of Health, have close relationships can help to reduce your risk of heart-related issues, obesity and high blood pressure. Physical contact, such as hand-holding and hugs, can trigger release of hormones and brain chemicals that not only make us feel great but also have significant biological benefits to our bodies. Strong, healthy relationships can also help to strengthen your immune system, help you recover from disease, and may even lengthen your life.

Emotional Impacts

It’s no secret that having close bonds and relationships make us feel happier than being isolated. Everyone needs someone they feel they can rely on to fill social needs. The benefits of social connections are numerous. According to Better Health Channel, proven links include lower rates of anxiety and depression, higher self-esteem, greater empathy, and more trusting and cooperative relationships.

People who spend more time with each other forge happy, productive communities. In the month of July, Premier Patient Housing encourages you to strengthen and maintain the relationships and bonds you have while making new connections! Most importantly, we hope you use these tips in your relationships to continue living a happy, and healthy, life both physically and mentally.