The Mental Health Benefits of Being Socially Connected

Everyone loves to have a good time. You know when you leave a social gathering feeling totally refreshed and completely fulfilled? We're all familiar with that warm, fuzzy feeling. Time spent with those that you trust and that care about you is good for everyone.

But did you know that spending time with your friends and family also benefits your mental and physical health? Socializing not only staves off feelings of loneliness, but also it helps sharpen memory and cognitive skills, increases your sense of happiness and well-being, and may even help you live longer.

Too much time time on your own can make you feel lonely and out of touch, so it's important to make an effort to spend time with others. 

Benefits of socialization

We're social creatures by nature, so social connections are incredibly important for our survival. Our relationships with family, friends, and coworkers have a major impact on our health and well-being.

When people are socially connected and have stable and supportive relationships, they're more likely to make healthier choices and have better mental and physical health outcomes. Plus, they're able to cope with hard times, stress, anxiety, and depression better.

And there are benefits of being socially connected beyond one's individual health. It can also help create trust and resilience within communities.

A strong sense of community in our neighborhoods, schools, places of worship, workplaces, and other settings can having a last impact on the community as a whole. It helps communities thrive, and supports the overall well-being, health, safety, and resilience of those communities. It may also encourage people to give back to their communities, further strengthening those connections.

However, getting out there and meeting new people is usually easier said than done. Here are a few different ways you can expand your social circle, so you can make the most of this summer:

—Join a local adult sports league.

—Throw a backyard barbecue.

—Play some lawn games.

—Hit the beach.

—Go to a museum, book store, or record store.

—Join a new gym or fitness studio, like hot yoga or cycling.

—Hike or bike a new trail.

—Attend a concert, show, or music festival.

—Check out a new park.

—Volunteer at a local nonprofit.

—Start or join a book club.

—Join a hobby group, like gardening, reading, or running.

—Check out an event at your local library or community center.

—Take a new class, like pottery, arts and crafts, or painting.

The idea of social connections is to share your time, experiences, and stories with other people, and vice-versa. Gradually, you'll form a group of people in your life who care about you, and who you also care about. Both your mind and body will reap the benefits.

At OnSite Wellness LLC, employee health and wellness is our specialty. Incorporating an employee wellness program at your workplace can have massive benefits for your employees in tracking and managing a healthy lifestyle — we are here to help you put your employee's health first. Contact us today to get started!