We Are Not Alone We Are Social Creatures

Quality of Social Soul

You need to eat nutritious food and physical activity to maintain body health. To maintain mental health, you can undergo counseling or do stress management therapy. In addition to mental and physical health, it turns out there is one more element that is rarely mentioned, namely social health. Social relationships are proven to strengthen immune function, maintain heart health, and cause happiness, thereby reducing the risk of depression. In other words, social health is closely related to mental and physical health. So, what is social health and how to improve it?

Is it social health?

If physical health is about the body, and mental health is about the mind, then social health is about social relationships. More specifically, social health is a picture of your relationships with other people, the environment, and the community.

According to Corey Keyes, a sociologist and expert in the field of positive psychology, there are three important elements in a person's social health, namely:

It is subjective and personal based on how you see your relationship with friends, family, or others.

The most important thing is quality, not quantity. That is, you can still feel socially healthy despite having few close friends.

Social relationships are not only seen between two people, but also involve a wider environment such as a coworker, schoolmate, or neighbor.

You can be said to have good social health if you are able to establish connections with others. In addition, you can also adapt to different social situations and behave in accordance with the place.

Social relationships are something unique. Everyone undergoes different social relationships so the way to determine the quality is also different. However, the following questions can help you see the quality of your current social relationships:

Do I feel more connected to others or lonely?

Is there anyone I can call when I need support?

What kind of relationship do I value most?

What kind of interaction excites me and what makes me feel tired?

Is community important to me? If yes, what kind of community?

The importance of social health Social relationships have a positive effect on mental and physical health. For introverted people though, interaction with others can cause a sense of happiness and foster care.

In addition, some studies have also found the following benefits:

People who have many friends tend to live longer.

Heart and blood circulation people who have healthy relationships are able to deal with stress better.

Strong social relationships are associated with a healthy hormonal and circulatory system.

Conversely, people who are often isolated and selfish are more at risk of stress and depression. The habit of being alone also makes you face the same health risks as smoking, obesity, and high blood pressure.

Social health is certainly not the only factor that gives rise to the series of diseases. However, social relationships play an important role in managing stress and are necessary to maintain your mental well-being. How to improve the quality of social relationships Social relationships is a thing that is formed slowly. The process takes time and sometimes it is not easy. In fact, people who seem easy to get along with and like to chat can also face this difficulty.

The Good News, there are some tips you can do to improve the quality of your social relationships.

1. Establish new social relationships

If you feel like you're in a cramped social environment, try making new friends as an adult through hobbies, joining a community, or traveling. From here, you can find new friends with similar interests.

In addition to these activities, you can also try academic activities such as debates or discussions. There are also people who like to do activities outside the home or volunteer for the community. Choose something that makes you happy.

2. Building a good relationship

While looking for new friends, do not forget to interact with your old friends. Every now and then, try to confide in them, offer help, or listen to their complaints. Or, try just meeting and chatting with them.

Differences of opinion are natural in social health, but as much as possible try to avoid conflicts that invite anger. Different points of view can strengthen the relationship as long as you respect each other's opinions.

3. Doing activities together

This is one of the best ways to build social relationships. Try eating with family, watching movies with friends, or cooking with your partner. Involve the people closest to you so they know each other.

In addition to entertainment activities, social relationships can also be stronger with the routine at home. Divide the task of cleaning the house, washing clothes, and so on with the people at home so that everyone has a role in this routine.

As well as eating nutritious foods, physical activity, and managing stress, social interaction also plays an important role in health. While prioritizing the quality of your relationship, do not forget to increase the quantity by getting to know new people.