Having social connections is a vital part of health and wellness. Your mental and physical health are better when you have a strong social network and feel a sense of belonging. Being socially connected promotes psychological resilience and prevents feelings of loneliness and isolation. Social disconnection is linked to depression, suicide, a weakened immune system, dementia, heart disease and early death.
Part of building your social health includes keeping close personal relationships. There are ways to help nurture your friendships. Start with these steps:
Practice empathy and be respectful of your friend’s views and opinions. Offer your compassion and support to your friend and you will receive it in return. As a bonus, when you pay attention to a friend’s unique situation, feelings and opinions, you may also learn something about yourself and your own viewpoint.
Be present and actively listen when interacting with your friend. Give your friend your full attention when you spend time with them and truly listen and repeat back what they’re saying. Reflecting what you’re hearing shows that you truly understand and are listening, which validates your friend’s thoughts and feelings and shows you value and care for them. It also helps you become a better friend and may help you understand where your friend may need support.
Show your friend you appreciate their friendship. When you express your gratitude and show your friend you appreciate them, it strengthens your bond with them.
Commit to spending time together. Give your time to your friend and keep to your promises to do so. Make an effort to spend time with them. Put a reminder in your calendar to contact them if that helps to make it happen. Work together to schedule social visits with each other, like meeting for a coffee, taking a walk or meeting up at your kid’s soccer game. When you take time out of your busy schedule it shows you care and gives you the opportunity to build and maintain the friendship.
Avoid unhealthy relationships. Remove yourself from relationships that don’t feel right and lower your self-esteem. If you feel unsafe in the relationship or if it’s one that encourages unhealthy behaviors like drug use, it’s time to move on.
Having social connections is a vital part of health and wellness. Your mental and physical health are better when you have a strong social network and feel a sense of belonging. Being socially connected promotes psychological resilience and prevents feelings of loneliness and isolation. Social disconnection is linked to depression, suicide, a weakened immune system, dementia, heart disease and early death.
Part of building your social health includes keeping close personal relationships. There are ways to help nurture your friendships. Start with these steps:
Practice empathy and be respectful of your friend’s views and opinions. Offer your compassion and support to your friend and you will receive it in return. As a bonus, when you pay attention to a friend’s unique situation, feelings and opinions, you may also learn something about yourself and your own viewpoint.
Be present and actively listen when interacting with your friend. Give your friend your full attention when you spend time with them and truly listen and repeat back what they’re saying. Reflecting what you’re hearing shows that you truly understand and are listening, which validates your friend’s thoughts and feelings and shows you value and care for them. It also helps you become a better friend and may help you understand where your friend may need support.
Show your friend you appreciate their friendship. When you express your gratitude and show your friend you appreciate them, it strengthens your bond with them.
Commit to spending time together. Give your time to your friend and keep to your promises to do so. Make an effort to spend time with them. Put a reminder in your calendar to contact them if that helps to make it happen. Work together to schedule social visits with each other, like meeting for a coffee, taking a walk or meeting up at your kid’s soccer game. When you take time out of your busy schedule it shows you care and gives you the opportunity to build and maintain the friendship.
Avoid unhealthy relationships. Remove yourself from relationships that don’t feel right and lower your self-esteem. If you feel unsafe in the relationship or if it’s one that encourages unhealthy behaviors like drug use, it’s time to move on.
Having social connections is a vital part of health and wellness. Your mental and physical health are better when you have a strong social network and feel a sense of belonging. Being socially connected promotes psychological resilience and prevents feelings of loneliness and isolation. Social disconnection is linked to depression, suicide, a weakened immune system, dementia, heart disease and early death.
Part of building your social health includes keeping close personal relationships. There are ways to help nurture your friendships. Start with these steps:
Practice empathy and be respectful of your friend’s views and opinions. Offer your compassion and support to your friend and you will receive it in return. As a bonus, when you pay attention to a friend’s unique situation, feelings and opinions, you may also learn something about yourself and your own viewpoint.
Be present and actively listen when interacting with your friend. Give your friend your full attention when you spend time with them and truly listen and repeat back what they’re saying. Reflecting what you’re hearing shows that you truly understand and are listening, which validates your friend’s thoughts and feelings and shows you value and care for them. It also helps you become a better friend and may help you understand where your friend may need support.
Show your friend you appreciate their friendship. When you express your gratitude and show your friend you appreciate them, it strengthens your bond with them.
Commit to spending time together. Give your time to your friend and keep to your promises to do so. Make an effort to spend time with them. Put a reminder in your calendar to contact them if that helps to make it happen. Work together to schedule social visits with each other, like meeting for a coffee, taking a walk or meeting up at your kid’s soccer game. When you take time out of your busy schedule it shows you care and gives you the opportunity to build and maintain the friendship.
Avoid unhealthy relationships. Remove yourself from relationships that don’t feel right and lower your self-esteem. If you feel unsafe in the relationship or if it’s one that encourages unhealthy behaviors like drug use, it’s time to move on.
Having social connections is a vital part of health and wellness. Your mental and physical health are better when you have a strong social network and feel a sense of belonging. Being socially connected promotes psychological resilience and prevents feelings of loneliness and isolation. Social disconnection is linked to depression, suicide, a weakened immune system, dementia, heart disease and early death.
Part of building your social health includes keeping close personal relationships. There are ways to help nurture your friendships. Start with these steps:
Practice empathy and be respectful of your friend’s views and opinions. Offer your compassion and support to your friend and you will receive it in return. As a bonus, when you pay attention to a friend’s unique situation, feelings and opinions, you may also learn something about yourself and your own viewpoint.
Be present and actively listen when interacting with your friend. Give your friend your full attention when you spend time with them and truly listen and repeat back what they’re saying. Reflecting what you’re hearing shows that you truly understand and are listening, which validates your friend’s thoughts and feelings and shows you value and care for them. It also helps you become a better friend and may help you understand where your friend may need support.
Show your friend you appreciate their friendship. When you express your gratitude and show your friend you appreciate them, it strengthens your bond with them.
Commit to spending time together. Give your time to your friend and keep to your promises to do so. Make an effort to spend time with them. Put a reminder in your calendar to contact them if that helps to make it happen. Work together to schedule social visits with each other, like meeting for a coffee, taking a walk or meeting up at your kid’s soccer game. When you take time out of your busy schedule it shows you care and gives you the opportunity to build and maintain the friendship.
Avoid unhealthy relationships. Remove yourself from relationships that don’t feel right and lower your self-esteem. If you feel unsafe in the relationship or if it’s one that encourages unhealthy behaviors like drug use, it’s time to move on.
