9 of the Best Ways to Improve Your Social Health
Updated December 2023
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We have all heard it’s important to maintain good mental and physical health, but what about social health? The following nine tips will help you improve this equally vital area of your life.
What is Social Health?
Social health is “based on our ability to form and maintain strong, meaningful relationships with others.” Involvement in a society that is made up of healthy and well-functioning people allows you to express yourself in a safe environment. Social health seems to focus on the quality of our relationships and our ability to be included within them.
How Does Social Health Impact Your Overall Wellness?
The current pandemic has shown how social health plays a vital role in your overall wellness. A 2017 News in Health article links immune system support against illness and disease, reduced risk of high blood pressure, and a longer life span to positive relationships. These include relationships with our friends, families, co-workers, and our significant others. When we’re isolated or have low-quality relationships, we’re more likely to run into weight problems. We can also experience depression and even a decrease in our body’s ability to heal wounds.
Read on to find out how you can avoid these negative impacts on your health and well-being.
9 Ways to Improve Your Social Health
1. Be Picky
Do you often feel drained after being with a particular friend or relative? These kinds of people are commonly referred to as energy vampires. They suck your emotional and mental energy from you, and it’s best to avoid these relationships at all costs. Instead, the focus should be on choosing high-quality relationships. Don’t involve yourself with fair-weather friends or judgemental relatives. In high-quality relationships, you connect with people on a deep level. These relationships fulfill everyone equally.
Learn to trust your intuition when it comes to the people you invite into your circle. If you feel a sense of “this feels wrong,” step back for a moment. Pay attention to the signals your body is giving you. If you feel uncomfortable in any way, your body may be giving a sneak peek of how this person will make you feel.
2. Develop Good Communication Skills
Have you ever heard the saying, “We have two ears and only one mouth for a reason?” One of the best ways we can develop strong communication skills is to be an active listener. What is active listening? An article on effective communication provides a few tips on what active listening means. “Focus on the speaker, avoid interrupting, and provide feedback.” This means don’t check your phone while the other person is speaking. Really listen, and don’t try to figure out what you want to say next. Lastly, show you’re paying attention by paraphrasing what has been said. Say things like, “What it sounds like you’re saying is…” so the speaker knows you’re listening.
The same article also gives some useful pointers on how to relieve stress and remain calm when communicating. The following suggestions will help you avoid saying something you might regret later: “Pause to collect your thoughts.” It’s always a good idea to give yourself plenty of time to think before you speak. “Make one point and provide an example or supporting information.” You might lose your listener’s interest if your response is too long-winded. “Wrap up with a summary,” and then stop talking. There is no need to go on and on. Keep things short and sweet.
3. Create Mutual Boundaries
It has been said that no is a complete sentence. When setting healthy boundaries with people, you don’t need to explain yourself more than once. If you are firm and stick to your boundaries, it will show people how you want to be treated. It will also show them that you will respect their boundaries, too. If someone pushes back, respectfully stand your ground and then end the conversation. You should never have to debate with someone.
On the flip side, if you find yourself pushing others’ boundaries, take a moment to put yourself in their shoes. Really think about how you would feel if they were ignoring your wishes. Would you feel like they didn’t value you? Would you feel angry or hurt? Chances are, that’s how they feel, too. A little empathy goes a long way.
4. Do Your Part
Always do your best to contribute positively to the relationship. Keep your promises. This helps people know they can trust you. Check in on them. When you let people know you care, it shows you value them. Pay attention to their body language or facial expressions. They may frown even if they say they’re OK. Pay attention to the people you value.
Perform acts of kindness without being asked. For example, leave a note on your significant other’s day planner saying, “I appreciate you and everything you do for us.” Seeing this gesture can help make them feel wonderful when they begin their day. Another example could be ordering dinner for a sick friend so she doesn’t have to cook.
Bonus: Sometimes, these acts of kindness inspire others to do them, too. But you should never do them because you expect something in return.
5. Find Positive Ways to Work Through Issues
Take the time to learn what triggers you and how to express yourself appropriately. When we’re upset, our message can get lost in the way we deliver it. Instead of blaming someone for hurting you, use “I feel” statements to share what’s bothering you. For example, if your husband forgets to wash the dishes after you cooked dinner, instead of saying, “You’re stressing me out and giving me more work because you’re lazy!” say, “When you don’t do the dishes after I make dinner, I feel like I did all of the work.” You clearly communicate how you feel and stay respectful.
If you find you’re too upset to speak with the other person, give yourself permission to take a “time out.” Excuse yourself from the conversation by saying, “I just need a few minutes to collect my thoughts.” Take a few steps back and take some deep breaths. Go into another room for a few minutes. Take a short walk to help you calm down. Then, you can return to the conversation ready to express yourself appropriately. You’ll also be a better listener!
6. Be Active Together
There are lots of ways you can get active together and sometimes meet new people in the process. Sites like Meetup or local Facebook groups offer in-person and online events. Whether you want to go hiking, stand-up paddleboarding, or try a cooking or dance class, chances are you’ll find what you’re looking for. Not only will you get to meet new people, but you might learn a thing or two about your friend or partner!
You can even join groups that walk dogs together or hang out at the dog park. Volunteer together. Find an organization such as the local Humane Society looking for people to play with their adoptable dogs or bring them out on day trips. If animals aren’t your thing, you can find a beach or park clean-up event. You can stay active together while helping a good cause. That's a win all around!
7. Start With Your Family
Family relationships are just as important as friendships. Our family members are the first people we have social interactions with as children. The quality of these interactions can shape the way we behave with everyone else. While it may be difficult to spend tons of quality time together, there are fun and easy ways to strengthen your connections with your children, parents, and spouse.
If your parents are local, try to visit them as often as you all are comfortable with. Play board games or take walks together if sitting around the dinner table doesn’t work. The point is to share moments that create memories. If you have kids, let them spend quality time with their grandparents, as it’s a gift they will remember all their lives. Invite your parents to your children’s sporting or school events so they can share in the fun. If your parents aren’t local, use video chat platforms like Zoom or Skype to keep everyone connected.
If you have a spouse or life partner, remember to never stop dating them. Plan a regular date night or afternoon. Depending on the situation, you can give yourselves the freedom to either go out or stay home. Try checking out the newest restaurant or playing a round of golf. Head to the amusement park and be kids again. Cuddle up on the couch together and order in for dinner. Take turns giving each other massages to reconnect on a more intimate level. Try to keep that spark you felt at the beginning of your relationship going!
8. Show Yourself Some Love
We often neglect our relationship with ourselves. We’re so busy doing things for other people that we tend to overlook our own physical, mental, and emotional well-being. You affect everyone around you with how you feel about yourself and your life. When you’re unhappy and stressed, it carries over into your social interactions. But that also happens when you’re happy!
Take time to have a regular health routine. Make time for some morning yoga or meditation. Enjoy a cup of tea while making a healthy breakfast. Sit quietly and listen to your favorite podcast. Take a warm bath after a stressful day. If you’re not feeling well, take plenty of time to rest. When you make an effort to do healthy things for yourself, it will boost your mood. You will radiate that happiness to the people around you, and this will help them feel great, too.
9. Dedicate Time to Being Alone
Although we don’t always like to be alone, it’s necessary to have time for ourselves. We are able to recharge the physical, emotional, and mental energy we spend around people. Sometimes, we aren’t even aware of how much energy we are putting out until we become sick. Taking time to be alone keeps you in tune with your body and mind.
You can pick up a new hobby by watching YouTube videos, like learning to play the guitar, create artwork, or perform yoga or tai chi. Have fun trying new recipes and creating healthy new dishes for yourself. Take a walk out in nature at a local park’s hiking trails. Work on a home improvement project you'll enjoy or start a new one.
You don’t always have to do something active, either. Rest is important, too. Meditating for even just a few minutes a day can help balance your mind and quiet the chaos of daily life. It also improves your immune system. Read that book you've been meaning to enjoy. Binge-watch shows or movies on Netflix. Order dinner and make it a date with yourself!
Final Thoughts
There are so many helpful ways to improve your social health. Most of them are even beneficial for your mental, emotional, and physical health, too. Follow these tips to create thriving, balanced relationships with the people around you and with yourself.
