The Impact of Social Wellbeing on Your Overall Health and Happiness
July 18, 2024
Social interactions play a role in maintaining and enhancing our overall well-being. They contribute to mental, emotional, and physical health and help create balance in a fulfilling life. Understanding how these interactions impact each aspect of our wellbeing can help us prioritize meaningful connections to weave into our daily lives.
Getting together with friends and family is an important part of our mental health. Having conversations and sharing experiences can reduce stress. Socializing keeps us engaged and mentally active. It provides a sense of belonging and strengthens our support network, which is helpful during hard times. Participating in group activities, such as a book club, a team sport, or a hobby group, can significantly boost mental health. These activities offer a sense of belonging and purpose.
Connections with others can physically and medically impact our overall health 1, with 72 percent of people feeling “very” or “fairly” socially connected to others. Meaningful relationships and connections with others are crucial in offering emotional support. Sharing joys and sorrows with friends and loved ones fosters empathy and compassion. Knowing we are not alone in our struggles can significantly affect how we perceive and handle life challenges.
A close-knit group of friends or a supportive community can help you navigate life’s ups and downs more effectively. These relationships provide a safe space to express your feelings and gain encouragement. Social support can help cope with stress, improve mood, and enhance your ability to handle challenges, leading to better emotional regulation.
Social interactions can also impact our physical health. Very active 2 people are 52 percent more likely to be happy than those that are inactive, while sufficiently active people are 30 percent more likely to report being happy. Engaging socially often involves physical activities, whether walking in the park with friends or dancing at a social event, contributing to overall fitness.
Technology has made it easier to stay connected virtually, but nothing can replace the benefits of face-to-face interactions. Being able to prioritize time for socializing and nurturing relationships is not just enjoyable but crucial for your overall wellbeing.
There are many ways to improve your social wellbeing and have a bigger influence on many aspects of your life. Our podcast Wellbeing and Your Wallet, discusses the five pillars of wellbeing 3 and what types of impact it can have on your life.
This information is for informational purposes only, is intended to provide general guidance, and does not constitute legal, tax, or financial advice. Each person's circumstances differ and may not apply to the specific information provided. You should seek the advice of a financial professional, tax consultant, and legal counsel to discuss your particular needs before making any financial or other commitments regarding the matters related to your condition.
1 Retrieved from: https://www.visionmonday.com/business/research-and-stats/article/social-connectivity-and-degrees-of-loneliness-vary-globally/
2 Retrieved from: https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/stress/2013/exercise
3 Retrieved from: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-5-pillars-of-wellbeing/id1650423674?i=1000626955078