You may think you’re taking good care of yourself by eating a balanced and nutritious diet, exercising regularly and getting enough sleep. But what about your social connections?
Social connectedness
Social connectedness is the feeling that you belong to a group and feel close to others. It’s considered a core psychological need and essential to feeling satisfied with your life.
Connectedness can include
- feeling close to family members
- having meaningful relationships with others or
- being part of community groups and organizations.
Some people may seem to have many “friends” on social media, but they may not feel connected to them. And other people may have a handful of friends who make them feel fulfilled and connected. Social connectedness has more to do with the quality of your relationships than the number of friends you have.
Strong social connections may improve your physical and mental health by helping you
- maintain an optimal body mass index
- control blood sugar and diabetes
- lower blood pressure
- reduce the risk of heart disease and
- reduce anxiety, depression or stress.
Social isolation
Just like social connections can positively affect your health, social isolation can have a negative impact.
Most people occasionally crave solitude, but socially isolated people may lack friends or close co-workers and often feel lonely or depressed. Some of the warning signs of social isolation are
- avoiding social interactions, including those that were once enjoyable
- canceling plans frequently and feeling relief when plans are canceled
- experiencing anxiety or panic when thinking about social interactions
- feeling distressed during periods of solitude
- feeling dread associated with social activities and
- spending large amounts of time alone.
If you’re experiencing these symptoms, talk with your doctor or mental health provider. They can assess your risk for social isolation and help provide the support you need.
Get connected
You can increase your social connectedness by
- making time each week to talk with your family, friends or those important to you
- prioritizing face-to-face interactions
- focusing on listening and being present and attentive and
- not being hesitant to ask for help when you need it.
Whether you’re an introvert or extrovert, humans naturally make connections with each other. And fostering these connections is critical to your health and wellness. So, get social and boost your well-being!
