Your friend gets your joke. Your co-worker offers congrats. Your spouse hugs you hello. They are all helping you bust stress and boost well-being. In fact, Mental Health America found that 71 percent of people surveyed turned to friends or family in times of stress. Show
Humans are social animals: We crave feeling supported, valued and connected. Research points to the benefits of social connection:
Sometimes connection is a heart-to-heart, spill-it-all-out talk. But sometimes it's just a laugh-out-loud e-mail. CREATING CONNECTIONSConnection happens when you get:
DO YOU HAVE ENOUGH SUPPORT?One author called her support network her "pit crew," the people she could rely on to rev her up. Ask yourself if you have at least a few friends or family members who:
Want more ways to assess support? Go to http://www.heretohelp.bc.ca/skills/module3#survey. MAKING FRIENDSIf you feel your current connections don't provide enough support, you can take steps to form new ones. Consider these suggestions:
If extreme shyness or anxiety prevents you from making friends, working with a therapist might help. STRENGTHENING YOUR RELATIONSHIPSIf you want to get more out of the relationships you have, consider these steps:
If you're in a troubled relationship, it pays to work on it. Experts say a bad relationship can hurt you even more than a good one can help you. If your relationship is rocky, here are some suggestions:
If disagreements get intense, remember to fight fair. Researcher John Gottman, PhD, who has predicted with amazing accuracy which couples will divorce, says your fighting style really matters. Consider two great ways to reduce the heat:
When appropriate, try to forgive—for your own sake. Research shows that forgiving reduces tension, depression and anxiety. Of course, letting go can be tough. Try to:
If you're having trouble expressing your needs or getting them met, consider individual or couples therapy. GETTING SUPPORT FROM A GROUPIf you're facing a particular stress, like a serious illness, you may want to get additional support beyond what your friends and family can offer. Support groups can provide:
You'll likely benefit most from attending a group in person since hearing someone's voice and seeing the look on a person's face can really deepen connection, but if there's no group in your area, consider online support or discussion groups. Mental Health America can help you find a support group. You can also learn out about support groups from your health care provider, local hospital or community center. Reviewed by Sonja Lyubomirsky, PhD, a University of California, Riverside professor and author of The How of Happiness: A New Approach to Getting the Life You Want(Penguin Press). Why is connection important for mental health?Social connection can lower anxiety and depression, help us regulate our emotions, lead to higher self-esteem and empathy, and actually improve our immune systems. By neglecting our need to connect, we put our health at risk.
Why is social connection important for health?Social connectedness is closely connected to mental and emotional health. When people feel connected, they have lower levels of anxiety and depression. Feeling connected also helps to create more empathy between one another, and that leads to stronger relationships across our community.
What is connectedness in mental health?Social connectedness can be understood as 'a subjective psychological bond that people feel in relation to individuals and groups of others' (Haslam C. et al, 2015).
What does creating connections with others mean to you?Creating bonds with family and friends allows us to feel secure. Sharing positive experiences give us a chance to help and support others, which can be personally rewarding. It also gives us a chance to receive emotional support from others. Wellbeing can be passed on through relationships.
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