Up to this point, we have touched on many different types of wellbeing and social wellbeing as a pillar for mental wellness. Next, we will be looking at social wellness and methods to ensure that we go beyond ourselves and embrace positive relationships. As a reminder, social wellbeing refers to having, developing, and sustaining meaningful relationships with others.
Social wellbeing incorporates our social interactions at all levels – personal, community and society. This means that our social wellbeing relies on the positive relationships we maintain with our immediate social structure, as well as social structures beyond that.
Psychologically, social wellbeing is described as ‘… the subjective evaluation of personal life circumstances and functioning in society’ – Corey Keyes, social researcher. Sociologists and psychologists assess it by measuring the quality of interactions and own perceptions of individuals, both subjectively and individually.
Also, within the framework of social wellbeing, there are three pathways we need to briefly highlight: behavioural (social bonds which can influence our health habits and behaviours – like when you are with friends, you might consume more alcohol than when you are alone); psychosocial (support from your social structure that reduces stress and enhances psychological wellbeing – like when you phone a friend when you feel overworked or stuck); and lastly physiological (exercise again – blowing off steam and releasing some stress).
Other forms of wellness are narrowly focused on the individual and how you take care of yourself. Within the social wellbeing framework, measures and activities are specifically linked to how we interact with others – how we reach out to others and connect to others.
This links to our willingness to connect to our social systems. Furthermore, social wellbeing is connected and explained through prosocial emotions and behaviours (which we will discuss later). Social wellbeing presents itself in the indicators below.
- Social integration – the sense of being a part of a community and society
- Social acceptance – the acknowledgement of a social structural base
- Social contribution – assessment of your personal value and contribution to society
- Social actualisation – the evaluation of the potential of society
- Social coherence – your interest in the world around you.
All these indicators contribute to your social wellbeing and assessment thereof. But how do we enhance our own assessment of our social wellbeing? Also, how do we set measures in place for ourselves to ensure that we connect socially and that the connection we make is valuable and adds to our mental wellbeing (because we all know, not all relationships are good relationships).
Let us talk about some prosocial emotions and how these actions can benefit our mental wellbeing.
Gratitude
Gratitude means to acknowledge that someone or something outside of us (externally) has benefited us. Being grateful transcends the individual and can strengthen bonds and connections.
Compassion
Compassion is the emotion that arises when you see other people’s suffering and develop a desire to relieve the suffering. Social scientists believe that our ability to have compassion played a crucial role in evolution. It also creates the promotion of cooperation which motivates us to protect the vulnerable.
Compassion can also be divided into three types: compassion towards others, compassion from others and self-compassion.
Prosocial behaviours are closely linked to prosocial emotions. These include acts of kindness and sustainable behaviour.
Acts of kindness
Acts of kindness are proven to correlate to increases in happiness. When you give, whether it is physical resources, your time or in any other form, you feel better.
Sustainable behaviour
Sustainable behaviour refers to a set of actions you take to protect your physical and social environments and it is usually driven by attitude and fairness.
So, how do you improve your social wellbeing?
Express gratitude
It is such a fulfilling, generous and enriching activity. Say thank you, we were all told that it is ‘good manners’. Now we know it is much more than that. Being grateful promote optimism and happiness.
Acts of Kindness
Spontaneous and planned acts of kindness increase how we perceive others, our place in the world and can enhance our sense of purpose. Kindness costs nothing but adds such value to our daily lives.
Kindness meditation
Kindness meditation can increase the feelings of connectedness and foster positive emotions, whether you are in direct contact with the person or not. It generates the focus of the day or evening on being kind and ensuring that you are surrounded by positivity.
Active constructive responding
Sharing positive experiences with others has been associated with higher intensity and frequency of positive emotions. Reflecting a genuine, honest, and enthusiastic interest links to these emotions and supports social wellbeing, because you are sharing.
Surround yourself with people who adds value to your life
In our work environment, this is not always possible, but you will always have a choice as to how the relationship affects your wellbeing. In your personal life, you do have a choice of whom to surround yourself with. Be selective, choose people who support you and want to see you succeed.
Think about your contribution to your environment – do you add value? Where do you gain value? Make sure you are spending time with whom you want to spend time. Embrace your environment as a tool to support your wellbeing.
Have consistent, happy days!
1 Comment
It’s an amazing рiece of wｒitіng in fаvor of all the web people;
they will take advantage fгom it I am sure.