Social Wellness Month

Social wellness means taking care of yourself and your relationships. Relationships help you learn how to navigate the world. You learn how to interact with others, be a part of different communities, all while expressing yourself. Positive social habits create better health and wellness for yourself.

You give and receive social support - ensuring that you and your loved ones have a listening ear in time of need or crisis. Social support has different forms:

Emotional - actions people to take to allow another to feel cared for
Instrumental - physical actions, such as money or gifts
Informational - giving information to help someone

Providing support may also be draining. If you find that your social health is unwell, the following steps can help you get back on track.

Make connections - look for ways to get involved with others
Take care of yourself - find self-care strategies that work for you
Get active - walk, run, or exercise with members in your community
Bond with your kids - this will prepare them to navigate life themselves
Build healthy relationships - know how to support others
Shape your family's health habits - develop healthy eating and physical activity habits

Growing your social network in a new place can be intimidating. The first step is to find your interests in hobbies. Invest in them, and you are bound to meet others with similar interests!

Join a gym. Go at similar times each day to begin to create a community with others that are working out.
Take a walk after dinner. You will begin to familiarize yourself with your neighbors.
Volunteer. Donate time to your charity of choice, and interact with people that share the same passion.
Find others who share a hobby, such as hiking, painting, running, etc.