Connectedness & Community Gathering
Friday, September 9, 2022
Other people play an important role in our wellbeing both mentally and physically. According to research, making connections with others and forming good relationships - with friends, family, and the wider community - are essential to maintaining good mental health.
A strong network of social connections can increase your feelings of self-worth and happiness, so establishing stronger social connections in your life can give you a boost. In most cases, we would like to spend more time with the people that are important to us. Unfortunately, because of our hectic lives, it is sometimes very difficult to do so.
Nevertheless, research has shown that the health and well-being of both our physical and mental wellbeing are affected by our relationships. We can define mental wellbeing as feeling good about ourselves and our world as well as functioning well mentally.
We can increase our happiness and security by nurturing our relationships, and we can gain a greater sense of purpose by doing so. We can all improve our mental wellbeing by investing in relationships, which is one of the five evidence-based steps we can take.
HOW RELATIONSHIPS CAN HELP
Our species is a social animal, and our bonds, connections, and relationships with others are of paramount importance to us as human beings.
In several studies, it has been suggested that good relationships are associated with positive mental health. A study in the USA conducted in 2002 of students showed that the students who were the happiest among the group had stronger social relationships than the students who were less happy.
The ability to share our feelings with family and friends, and know that we are understood, would be brought about by strong relationships with them. In addition to providing us an opportunity to share our positive experiences, they can provide us with emotional support, as well as the opportunity to support others.
In addition to giving to others, giving gives us a sense of wellbeing
We need relationships in order to feel like we belong to the world and that we hold value. Furthermore, there's evidence that wellbeing can be passed on through relationships, so that being around people who are in good mental health can make your own mental wellbeing stronger.
Connect for mental wellbeing
When it comes to wellbeing, other people matter. Evidence shows that connecting with others and forming good relationships – with family, friends and the wider community – are important for mental wellbeing.
BUILD RELATIONSHIPS FOR WELLBEING
It is good for your health as well as the health of the other people you are involved with to take time to build and enlarge your relationships.
In order to build healthy relationships, it is essential to:
Making a point of strengthening your relationships with people who are close to you, such as family and friends.
It is important to expand your community relationships as well as your global connections.
To strengthen and build a closer relationship, there are numerous aspects that can be taken into consideration:
Don't forget to spend time with your family every day. Depending on your schedule, it might be that you set aside a small amount of "family time" each day or that you find time around other commitments.
Get together with old friends you haven't seen in a while for a day of fun.
If you want to spend some time with your family or friends, turn off the TV and play a game, or talk with them.
Make contact with someone else; it's a great way to start the day.
Take a colleague out to lunch.
If you know someone who needs your support or company, arrange to see them.
Join an organization that helps schools, hospitals, or community groups in your area. As you give of yourself, you will also be contributing to others' success.
If you live in a major city, you can likely find a "meetup" that you are interested in. Book clubs, walking groups, craft groups, men's sheds and even simple social gatherings take place in most major towns.
