We often think about wellness in terms of mental and physical health, and how it relates to our internal wellbeing. But wellness extends beyond ourselves, to those whom we interact with on a daily basis. Social wellness plays an important part in our relationships and the effectiveness of our communication with those around us, including family, friends and coworkers.
What is Social Wellness?
Social wellness refers to health of your relationships and involves giving and receiving support and affirmation. People who have a strong social network tend to live longer, be less stressed, have stronger immune systems and better cardiovascular health. According to this article, social support can take different three forms:
- Emotional Support refers to the actions taken to make someone else feel cared for.
- Instrumental Support refers to the physical, such as money and housekeeping.
- Informational Support means providing information to help someone.
With July being Social Wellness Month, it’s a perfect time to refocus on your relationships and improve your communication with those in your social circle.
Ways to Improve Social Wellness in the Workplace
Many people rely on family and friends for social support, but coworkers can also play a significant part in your social wellness. Here are a few ways to improve social wellness in the workplace:
Plan team-building activities such as group workout classes, happy hours, or game days.
- Start a mentoring program to help foster relationships between senior and entry level workers.
- Give consistent feedback that constructive, positive, and informative.
- Don’t play the blame game—always look for the solution.
- Express your appreciation—when someone does a good job, tell them!
- Be cognisant of coworkers’ time—don’t be late to meetings!
- Group projects are a great opportunity to collaborate and build rapport.
