Today’s post is all about social health, and how I tend to mine.
Like emotional health, this is a post I was sort of putting off (TBH), as I wasn’t to sure how I could create meaningful discussion on the topic. Because like all other compenents of health, effective ways of caring for one’s social health greatly varies from person to person.
This also feels like an interesting topic for me to discuss, as I’m not a stereotypically “social” person. I’m not particularly outgoing, I have a small friendgroup, and don’t often make new friends.
But at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter, because humans are intrinsically social creatures. Moreover, everyone requires and deserves a support system that cares about them.
I guess what I’m saying is, this post isn’t going to be tips on making new friends or how to be a social butterfly – because I could probably use the same tips in all honesty. But instead, this post is going to discuss how I nuture the connections I have, and how I meet my social needs!
I am incredibly grateful and lucky to have the support system that I do. Many of my closest friends have been with me for 10+ years, and that’s not something everyone can say. However, lifelong friendships are not maintained through luck or chance.
Moreover, personal relationships are inherently complex. A friendship with one person may look very different than a friendship with someone else, even if you have known them for the same period of time.
I think the most important components for ensuring a healthy relationship with any individual are kindness, respect, empathy, authenticity, and personal boundaries.
Having a network of family and friends that you trust and can rely in times of despair is a wonderful feeling, but it is also important to be careful not to overstep one another’s boundaries.
But outside of all of this, you can’t forget to have fun! Even as a more introverted-type person, I have found that going out with my friends and family is a large and critical component to maintaining my social health.
However, this is one factor that can make social health sometimes difficult – as not everyone is going to require or desire the same levels of social connection.
Finding others that enjoy the same types of activities and a similar frequency of connection can help mitigate this potential dilemma. As well as making friends in places that you naturally go often (such as school, work, the gym, etc.)
Personally, “going out” with my friends is an activity that I always look forward to, even if the activity in question is simply a trip to Costco – I’m there!
In this sense, my social health is tied closely to emotional health. I enjoy considerable social connection, and if I go awhile not seeing anyone I can feel it effect me emotionally as well.
On the flip-side, I will say that if I am going out lots with no alone time in between, I can also end up feeling drained and “socially burnt out”.
So its all about finding a balance that works for you!
Overall, social health can sometimes be tricky to navigate. But I’m incredibly grateful for those that are close to me, so here’s a cute little tiktok of some friendship highlights to end this post off. Enjoy 🙂
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