Celebrating a New Year of Holistic Health: Social Health

Our social health pillar is one of those that are harder to measure. Social health is typically assessed by how well we form relationships with others, and our ability to nurture them so they grow. Having someone to regularly communicate and share your feelings with can be impactful to your overall well-being.

Read about last week's holistic blog on managing your emotional health. 

Humans need social interaction to thrive, as we are not meant to be solitary creatures. Here’s all you need to know about how to nurture your social health in holistic terms, and how you can make building relationships a priority this year.

What is Social Health?

Social Health relates to how we form relationships with others and how well we maintain those relationships. It can also impact how confident we are in interacting with others, and how to manage social situations. Social wellness is also being aware that positive relationships with everyone aren’t always possible, and conflict is normal.

Being a part of a community and having people to lean on for support is essential for our overall well-being. There have been studies that show those who are more connected socially with others are healthier and live longer than their isolated counterparts. Building and maintaining these connections take time and energy, but the hard work is worth the effort. Those nurtured relationships will continue to serve you throughout your life.

Healthy Habits to Impact Social Health, Holistically

Take A Break

We are often so consumed by our phones and social media accounts, that the lines can start to blur between the reality we experience and the pictures we see. If logging on to social media gives you anxiety or causes you to stress, it’s time to take a break. Logging out every so often can act as a reset button on your mental health. It may also improve your outlook on life, your self-image, happiness, and lessen loneliness.

Find A Community

Seeking out like-minded individuals can provide you with a sense of belonging and support. Taking time to find a community that shares common thoughts, interests, or ideas can provide you with new connections and improve your overall social health. There are seemingly infinite amounts of communities both online and in-person, so the world is your oyster!

Practice Self-Awareness

When you have a deep understanding of who you are, you can show up authentically in your relationships with others. This ensures that those relationships start on a solid foundation, allowing for a genuine connection to grow. This leads to a trustworthy relationship. Learning to be self-aware is a life-long journey, but it’s never too late to start.

Set Boundaries

Setting boundaries with people in your life that may increase stress or bring about toxic energy into your life is necessary for your well-being. That means you get to create the rules and limits on what’s acceptable in a relationship. These boundaries also can establish how others can act around you. Be sure to form and communicate those limits with others. They are essential for self-care.

What are your favorite ways to take care of your social health? Let us know in the comments! And stay tuned to next week’s final holistic health pillar, spiritual health!