Something we commonly say to each other is, “I hope you’re doing well.” What does doing “well” really mean? Most people probably think it’s only related to physical or emotional health, but wellness has many components.
In fact, there are eight dimensions of wellness that contribute to your overall well-being: physical, intellectual, emotional, social, spiritual, vocational, financial, and environmental. With loneliness on the rise in our society, it is more important than ever for people of all ages to understand and work on improving their social wellness.
What is social wellness?
Social wellness is our ability to create and maintain healthy, supportive, and mutually respectful relationships. It’s feeling a sense of authentic connection and belonging and having a strong social support network.
The benefits of a strong social support system
You may be surprised to learn how much your social wellness contributes to your overall health. Having friends and family you can turn to for comfort and support during challenging times is a crucial part of a healthy well-being. And supporting others also contributes to our own happiness and satisfaction.
There are numerous health benefits to having a strong social support system, including:
- Increased self-esteem
- Reduced depression and anxiety
- Better ability to handle stress
- A greater feeling of safety, belonging, and security
- Improved life skills such as communication, manners, and assertiveness
- Increased resilience and ability to handle challenges such as pain or loss
- The ability to set and maintain boundaries
- Improved physical health and well-being
- Lower risk of conditions such as dementia
- Longer life expectancy
How loneliness and social isolation affect your health
Humans are social creatures who need interaction, but at some point, everyone feels lonely or socially isolated. A lot of times these feelings are temporary, but if they last longer, it can be harmful to your health.
Those who feel lonely or socially isolated are at a higher risk of several diseases including high blood pressure, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, heart disease, and more. Studies show that loneliness may also increase the risk of heart attack and stroke for older adults and other vulnerable groups.
And there’s a difference between being alone and feeling lonely. You could live alone but not necessarily feel lonely if you are involved in your community and have a strong social network. Conversely, you can be in a room full of people and still feel lonely. Loneliness stems from a lack of connection with others.
Tips for improving your social well-being
If you want to improve your social well-being or expand your social network but don’t know where to start, there are several options — even for people who are introverts!
- Nurture relationships with friends and family. Keep in regular contact. Schedule quality time together in person.
- Get moving with others. Exercise helps you stay healthy physically, socially, and emotionally. Try joining an exercise group, sports club, or fitness studio. Find sports or activities that you enjoy. Working out with others also helps you stay motivated.
- Join a club, group, or team. Meet new people in your area by joining a sports team, local club, group, theater, or place of worship.
- Take classes at your local community center or college. This is great for your intellectual well-being and your social well-being.
- Volunteer. Volunteering is a great way to give back to your community and meet people. Supporting a cause that you are passionate about can give you a sense of purpose and provide a shared sense of community around a common goal. It’s something AmeriHealth and its associates truly believe in!
- Celebrate your traditions and culture. Meeting people who have a shared background or heritage is an easy way to make an immediate connection.
- Participate in community events. Get to know your neighbors and people in your community by showing up for local events.
Enhancing the eight dimensions of wellness
While social wellness is only one of the eight dimensions of wellness, all the dimensions are interdependent, meaning they affect each other. So, if one dimension suffers, the other dimensions suffer as well, affecting your overall health, well-being, and quality of life. Finding harmony among these dimensions will help you be your best in body, mind, and spirit.
