Have you ever gone a few weeks without meeting your loved ones and felt like you weren’t performing at your best? Well, you’re not alone – studies show that the risks of social isolation can go beyond loneliness and feelings of depression. But why is this true? It turns out that being social is an essential aspect of a functioning human and that researchers point to a link between longevity and positive social connection. It has a significant influence on psychological well-being as well. It’s worth taking a look at what positive social connections are, the benefits they offer, and how you can improve them.
What Are Positive Social Connections?
Positive social connections make up the experience of being close to someone and feeling a sense of belonging to other people. Science has proven that humans have a fundamental need for social connections, regardless of their culture, age, or gender. Sustaining meaningful relationships allows us to feel connected and secure.
Some disorders can make it difficult to sustain social connections. For instance, some of the ADHD and bipolar similarities include impulsivity, restlessness, and distractibility, which can impair people’s ability to maintain relationships. Nonetheless, having a source of support is crucial for positive outcomes during the recovery process.
Benefits of Having Positive Social Connections
Engaging in positive interactions doesn’t just help you feel good. There’s evidence to prove that positive social connections improve your well-being in the following ways.
Lower Risk of Depressive Feelings
Meeting your loved ones and having pleasant interactions encourages positive emotions. These feelings can help you develop a more joyful outlook on life. Similarly, sharing experiences and engaging in activities with others leads to a sense of connection and enjoyment as well. This happens thanks to the release of oxytocin, a bonding hormone that helps with mood regulation and positive emotions.
Reduces Symptoms of PTSD
People with PTSD may show little interest in social activities, which can affect relationships. There’s evidence to suggest a link between PTSD symptoms and social support. The results of one meta-analysis show that increased social support led to a decrease in PTSD symptoms. In fact, it has protective events, such as enhancing treatment and preventing negative outcomes like self-harm.
Improved Self-Esteem and Resilience
Having a source of social support, whether they are your peers or loved ones, can help you cope with symptoms of poor mental health. Studies show that social connections improve your self-evaluation, help develop a positive self-image, and improve your self-esteem. One study explains that because of how it improves self-esteem, social support has both a direct and indirect effect on mental health.
Researchers have also found that positive social support can encourage greater resilience to stress. This resilience allows you to overcome traumatic situations without developing post-traumatic stress.
Reduces Risk of developing dementia
Positive social connections can increase cognitive stimulation and offset the development of dementia. In fact, longitudinal studies have reported that social support is more effective than instrumental support like meal preparation. One other study on elderly participants shows that living a socially engaging lifestyle is correlated with higher scores on cognitive performance in both nursing homes and community settings.
You Adopt Healthy Habits
Just as social groups can have a negative influence, support and pressure from a group can also encourage you to try healthy behaviors. This includes eating a balanced diet, getting medical check-ups regularly, and dropping unhealthy habits like excessive alcohol consumption and smoking. Not to mention, positive social connections are a source of motivation for exercising regularly, improving your overall health and physical fitness.
Adherence To Mental Health Treatment
Stronger social connections can improve adherence to mental health treatments and therapies. This has a positive impact on how you manage symptoms while ensuring better outcomes. There’s also evidence to prove that people with positive social connections are less likely to approach mental health services as a first option. Rather, they’re more likely to seek support from their loved ones.
How To Improve Social Connectedness
For some people, building social connections comes easily. Meanwhile, others may struggle to build meaningful relationships that provide support. Here are a few strategies to help foster more positive connections:
Find Opportunities To Expand Your Network
A good way to build new connections with other people is through shared interests. Think about what activities pique your interest and see if there are any opportunities at your local library or community center. This can include weekly classes for a new sport, a cooking class, a writing workshop, or a call for volunteers at the local homeless shelter.
Attend In-Person Activities
While connecting with people online does offer some convenience, there are numerous benefits of seeing people in person. This can include scheduling in-person meetings to catch up with old friends or going shopping at a store instead of buying groceries online. Meeting your loved ones face-to-face encourages open and honest communication because it allows everyone to pick nonverbal cues like facial expressions.
Join Support Groups
While close friends and family members are certainly a great source of social support, they can’t always understand what you’re going through – unless they’ve experienced something similar. This is especially true if you’re seeking treatment for a mental health condition and need support on how to cope with symptoms. In this situation, joining a support group for people with similar conditions allows you to discuss shared experiences, practice coping strategies, and work on ways to manage symptoms. You also have a chance to learn from others, feel inspired by their journey, and inspire others as well.
Conclusion
A social connection is when you experience a sense of belonging and closeness to someone. These connections are a source of support, and they can enhance your physical and mental well-being. Some benefits include encouraging you to adopt healthier habits, improving cognitive function, reducing depressive feelings, and improving self-esteem. Looking for opportunities to expand your network, scheduling in-person meetings, and joining a support group are some of the ways you can build more social connections.
