Social Wellness: How to Incorporate it in the Lives of Caregivers
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Because isolation is very common when caring for a love one it's important to be sure that caregivers take steps to incorporate social wellness during the care giving process.
No man is an island unto himself, which explains why people feel the need to communicate, interact and form strong relationships with other people. With social wellness, a person will have the capability to socialize, be confident and function normally with other people. The lack of social wellness often leads to anti-social behavior and causes inability to adjust in social surroundings. Read on to find out how to create social wellness.
*What is Social Wellness?*
Social wellness refers to the relationships and connections we have with others. It also refers to our capability to build and maintain relationships, develop intimacy with family and friends and manage our feelings and emotions.
Social wellness is an important element in every person's life, primarily because it helps him recognize his natural interdependence with others, regardless of the relationship. A person who is well-adjusted on a social level is capable of making friends, offering support to others and becoming a productive member of the society he lives in.
nections and soon you will have an abundance of what we call "social wellness
According to Emory, "throughout the years, our understanding of what contributes to a person’s wellbeing has grown". A holistic approach to wellness, recognizing the importance of mind, body and spirit in achieving overall well-being. Our social connections to others forms a critical aspect of our health and well-being. These connections, called social wellness, reflect our ability to interact with others and build and maintain relationships.
It is critical to have a positive social network at home and at work to help provide important support, feedback and social interaction. Building those connections enables us during day-to-day interactions as well as during times of crisis. They help sustain one’s outlook and build important social skills, such as establishing trust and boundaries, improving communication skills and empathy, and developing conflict management skills.
Establishing trust and respect in your personal and professional relationships can help you navigate the waters when they turn rocky. Your network of social connections doesn’t have to be large – having even one or two trusted people who you can rely on can make a difference. For many, creating those social connections enables success in other areas of one’s life, such as physical activity. According to Kathy Lee-Bishop, PT, DPT, CCS, program manager of Emory Saint Joseph’s Rehabilitation Program, “Having an exercise buddy or partner will help encourage and support your fitness goals, and you will be more likely to have better success and will be more committed to making life style changes.”
If you are thinking about how to improve your social wellness, consider these questions:
Do I plan time to be with my family and friends?
Do I enjoy the time I spend with others?
Are my relationships with others positive and rewarding?
Do I utilize my family and friends to support my health and wellness activities?
If you answered "no" to any of the questions, it may indicate an area where you can improve. Explore some of the resources Healthy Emory provides, such as walking groups, onsite fitness facilities, and Bike Emory, to help get involved with other colleagues on campus.