The National Institutes of Health (NIH) underscores the importance of having deep, genuine friendships, stating “positive social habits can help you build support systems and stay healthier mentally and physically.” Use these four tips to work on improving your social wellness this month.
1. Make connections and build healthy relationships.
Actively look for ways to connect with others, and focus time spent with others on activities or hobbies you collectively enjoy, like participating in a yoga class or going to a sporting event. For relationships that are well-established, look for ways to deepen those connections. Sharing feelings honestly, learning how to disagree respectfully and being caring and empathetic will help strengthen your bonds with friends, family members, romantic partners and other loved ones.
2. Get active together.
It may be a struggle to work out or be active consistently, but having a social support group can make it a bit less difficult. Gather some friends and play pickleball or set aside time to play outside with your kids after work. Go on a walk with coworkers during your lunch break or form a recreational sports team with your office. Social support groups can provide motivation to help achieve fitness goals and improve overall social well-being.
3. Take care of yourself.
Caregivers can often experience burnout if they do not adequately care for themselves, which negatively impacts social wellness. Everyone handles self-care differently, and not all self-care methods work for everyone. Find the best ways to care for yourself and stick with them. Make sure you eat healthy, balanced meals and take breaks as you need them. Exercise as often as possible, and get seven to nine hours of sleep each night. Reach out to others for help or join a support group. If you need more serious support, you can call the Arkansas Crisis Center’s hotline by dialing 988 to find mental health resources in your area.
4. Create a healthy atmosphere at home.
Parents are responsible for their own social wellness, as well as their kids’, so it’s important to make your home a safe space for your family. Make requests and give instructions in a positive, kind tone of voice, and incorporate positive, loving interactions with kids and other family members throughout the day. Limiting screen time for the whole family can help everyone connect with each other and promote spending time together that isn’t centered around technology.
Honesty is the key to social connection. Be genuine in connecting with others around you, and look for ways to deepen those connections. Find more of the NIH’s social wellness strategies at nih.gov/health-information/social-wellness-toolkit.
About QualChoice Health Insurance
Since 1994, QualChoice has provided the best value in health benefits for Arkansas businesses. They’re committed to transforming the health of their community one person at a time and strive to make health insurance simple with an approach based on the core belief that quality healthcare is best delivered locally.
QualChoice health plans and services are offered through QCA Health Plan, Inc. (QCA), a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) and QualChoice Life and Health Insurance Company, Inc. (QCLHIC), both licensed with the State of Arkansas. All QualChoice entities are wholly owned subsidiaries of Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC).
More information can be found at qualchoice.com.