It’s crazy to think that despite today’s digital world, people are becoming isolated now more than ever. This aloneness directly affects our health and wellness!
But there’s one social “channel” that can change that. And it’s one that moms (and humans) desperately need for survival. It’s called social wellness.
In this post we discuss why it’s being social is more than just scrolls and likes and how this dimension of wellness is like no other. While creating connections seem challenging, especially for moms, it doesn’t have to be complicated. I’m sharing tips and a list of activities to help you easily integrate it into daily routine.
8 Dimensions of Wellness
- Physical
- Emotional
- Intellectual
- Social
- Occupational
- Environmental
- Financial
- Spiritual
What is Social Wellness?
By definition, social wellness is the ability to connect with others and maintain those relationships. It involves connections that are:
- healthy
- supportive
- nurturing
These relationships play a role in our overall well-being.
Sustaining Support
Social support ultimately forms your support system– The people that cheer you on, call you when you cancel plans, and honestly, call you out when you’re in the thick of it and not thinking correctly.
In fact, these are the people that show up and support in different ways. Examples of social support include the following:
- Emotional–the act of sharing and listening
- Instrumental– tangible actions that show support like cooking a meal or dropping off coffee
- Informational — providing info to help someone else
Good social wellness isn’t burdensome– it doesn’t mean you have to frequently engage in big outings. And it’s certainly not related to the number of friends you have or followers on social media.
Like so much of wellness, it’s not actually the quantity but the quality of what is done. It’s the small things. Like listening or doing something for someone.
Why is this important?
Forming connections benefits our whole self– heart, mind, body and soul. We are social creatures by design. In fact, much of our purpose is fellowship with one another.
Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper corresponding to him.
Genesis 2:18
We learn here that we need that someone as a helper to sustain life, provide balance and work together for the greater good.
And do you know what happens without that support and interaction?
We become ill.
We suffer from anxiety and depression. And on a daily basis, we’re more like to feel:
- unmotivated
- hopeless
- fearful
- alone, as if we are the only one experiencing something
Not only can that be paralyzing but it takes a toll on our bodies. You can compare the health risks to those of the following:
- obesity
- high blood pressure
- smoking cigarettes
And here’s something really interesting to note– When things are difficult or feel out of control (hello mom life! or life in general) social support can actually establish better relationships with your own family and kiddos.
Pretty fascinating.
Social Wellness is the New Self-Care, Mama
Community is the one thing we need as humans. And especially for moms as social wellness may not on the top of this list for a busy, tired mom. It can really be a challenge to create connections when we’re pulled so thin with our own daily routines and duties for our homes and families.
You have the following thoughts:
- you don’t have time
- it’s not worth the effort
- or you’re just flat exhausted and don’t truly care.
Or maybe silence sounds way better than being social.
I get it.
I truly acknowledge those barriers and have felt the same. But there was something I learned along the way.
Loneliness isn’t solved by more wine and bubble baths, scrolling Instagram or binging tv.
Healthy relationships are only solved by reaching out and sharing experiences with others.
And serving others actually does something for us too.
The Extraordinary Benefits of Social Wellness
Social wellness is key to our health and relational wellness.
Would you believe that the connection can be just as beneficial as a quick home workout for improving mood? It’s linked back to happiness.
The stress-reducing benefits include:
- Stronger Immune system
- Reduced depression/anxiety
- Longer life
- Overall better happiness and purpose to life
When we think about being healthy, we often think about ourselves. The water we drink, the food we eat, or how we move our bodies.
But here proves that health stretches beyond us.
Research shows that serving others can actually provide a mood boost when we’re feeling low. And we can add these benefits to the list as well:
- provide meaning to our life
- foster satisfaction/ joy
- Help us live obediently
Tips to Achieve
Okay you so know what social wellness is, how important it is and all the uplifting benefits. Maybe you’re ready to create change in your life. But how?
Start by just reflecting on these tips. Remember, like much of our health and wellness, this take time and is all part of the journey.
- Understand Yourself— Spend quiet time with yourself as often as possible so that you truly understand who you are. Processing emotions, hopes and dreams helps stay true to yourself and learn to stand up for what you believe in/create boundaries.
- Take Care of You– When you understand yourself, you actually can pinpoint exactly what nourishes your soul. Continue to do those things. That, combined with a healthy lifestyle, result in more energy and more positive feelings. And when you feel good, you do good!
- Practice conversation— Yes. Practice. Meaning get in the habit of staying curious, asking questions and actively listening. It’s hard, especially with littles but practice makes perfect.
- Maintain personal relationships— creating connections are one thing but maintaining relationships is another. I think with moms, it’s easy to be at a play group or class and be around people, but are you really creating those soul serving connections? Make it a point to continue to build relationship out of respect and love–you may have to set time aside each week to devote to that relationship.
- Appreciate Yourself and Others— Positive thinking and gratitude keep us hopeful and aware of all God’s gifts to us.
- Connecting with like-minded people— Relationships are some of the strongest emotions. Positive ones reduce stress, increase self-worth and help live longer. Learn from everyone but surround yourself with those that truly fuel your inner fire.
Examples of Social Wellness and Activities
Ready to take action? It’s not hard!
Many of these fit right along the things that you’re already doing. And there are probably 20 ways to improve your social health so just use these as a point of inspiration in your own life.
- Call or in-person visit–in other words, challenge yourself to communicate off screen!
- Send a card or letter— a nonverbal way to really connect with someone
- Volunteer— This can be hard as mom. But it doesn’t have to be time consuming— find your passion and a way to give back. Could be in your kid’s school, church, or fundraiser. Even if you don’t have childcare, google options for making cards for the homebound, shopping for a food kitchen, etc. Those are all things you can do from the walls of your own home.
- Bake–You’re likely already in the kitchen this week. Double the recipe or create a fun dessert with the kids to bless others. Look for a food kitchen through your church, a new mom to feed or even a neighbor.
- Join a club or group— Do you like art? Gardening? Exercise? Google groups and communities in your area. Doing a book club with a couple friends would even be a fun way for SAHMs to promote socialization AND self-care.
- Attend Church
- Get Active— Strollers or no strollers, walking with a friend forms a wonderful connection.
- Participate in community events
And last…
- Utilize Technology— social media is an instant way to form connections. Of course, don’t let it replace genuine off-screen interactions, but one advantage of social media: easy way to connect and love on others. But remember– scrolling isn’t being social. Comment and engage in conversations and use the message feature. Even better, look for interest “groups “that you can join that foster meaningful relationships and discussion within a platform.
Wellness that shapes our hearts
Social wellness obviously has so many benefits for you. But what I love about it most and how it directly fits into Christ centered wellness. That is, it actually starts by looking outward.
A hello, a text, extending an invitation. This differs from other dimensions of wellness where we typically focus on doing something for ourselves.
By pouring into others, while respecting and loving who we are and the gifts we are given, we better ourselves. Or in other words– sharing God’s love with others is actually how we work towards an abundant life. Increase energy. Reduce stress, feel supported and ultimately, create change.
So here’s a thought–
Perhaps moms don’t actually need to go searching for more hacks. Maybe we don’t need to set an alarm to wake up to be more productive.
Maybe we need to start looking up. And looking beyond. Look beyond your own walls and laundry piles. Beyond the crumbs and crying.
Start looking towards others.
You’ll improve your physical, mental, and emotional health. And create a loving exchange of caring for others and also being cared for by others.
Social Wellness is the one social connection we all need to subscribe to.
Share the Love
Let’s become a better steward of ourselves and those we care about –in our homes, communities and even in the world.
Do one thing today that nourishes a relationship today.
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