Creating connections
with people can be easy for some and difficult for others. From very early on
in life, many are encouraged to make friends and to develop relationships and
social skills. As children it may seem easy or even scary at first, and sometimes
it can still feel like that into adulthood. While some may classify themselves
as an introvert, extrovert or somewhere in between, everyone’s social wellness
plays an important role in their overall health.
This month is
National Social Wellness Month. Social wellness refers to the relationships
people have and how they interact with others. As humans, social interaction is
essential to many aspects of health, both physically and mentally.
The benefits of
having positive connections with friends, family, professors, coaches,
supervisors, and neighbors are numerous. According to the National Library
of Medicine, research shows social wellness plays a direct part in good
mental health, which can lower rates of anxiety and depression, enhance
mood, lift self-esteem and even lower blood pressure. Positive social
connections have also shown substantial physical impacts in many other
categories of health from weight management, diabetes, dementia, cardiovascular
disease, and cancer.
“Social connections
are a pillar of lifestyle medicine. Humans are wired to connect, and this
connection affects our health,” says Aspirus
Psychiatrist Dr. Fabio Catao. “It’s important to nurture healthy
relationships with people who make you feel good by spending time with them,
and by trying to talk to someone every day.”
Positive social
habits can help individuals build support systems and stay healthier mentally
and physically. Below are simple ways to help build and maintain social
connections for everyday life.
- Keeping regular
contact with your friends
- Spending quality
time with your loved ones
- Engaging in
volunteer work
- Taking classes at a
local community center
- Joining a group
based on your interests
- Celebrating your
traditions and culture
- Participating in
community events
“Engaging in group
activities or connecting with friends and family, with whom a person has a good
relationship is recommended on a daily or at least weekly basis. This could be
a phone call, a Skype call, or a face-to-face interaction. It needs to be an
interaction that helps you to feel close to another person," says Dr.
Catao.
For people
struggling with social or mental wellness, talk to your doctor or visit aspirus.org to schedule an appointment.