SOCIAL WELL BEING

Humans are social beings and the tenor of our social life is one of the most important influences on our overall health. Without positive, durable relationships, both our minds and our bodies fall apart. In comparisons with animals, humans are regarded like the primates for their social qualities. Beyond any other creature, humans are adept at utilizing systems of communication for self-expression, the exchange of ideas, and organization etc.

Social Well being refers to our ability to interact successfully within a community or man and throughout a variety of cultural contexts while showing respect for ourselves and others. Social Well being encompasses our interpersonal relationships, social support networks, and community engagement.  Whenever a group of people get together there are social interactions, and our ability to manage the good and bad interactions can have major impacts on various areas of our well being. As a member of a community, we may develop satisfying relationships, a capacity for intimacy, an understanding of self in relation to others, and a sense of belonging.

Social well-being is strongly associated with a person’s mental and physical health.  Lack of social wellness may lead to psychological & biological effects like loneliness, higher cholesterol levels, increased susceptibility to diseases. Socially isolated people are more susceptible to illness and have a death rate two to three times higher than those who are not socially isolated. .Approximately 20 percent of Americans feel lonely and isolated during their free time. People who maintain their social network and support systems do better under stress.

We need self assessment and practices to improve our social well being. We need to open ourselves & get to know our personal needs and pursue things and people who nurture those needs. Contact and a specific effort to talk to the people who are supportive in your life should be taken into action for extending social circle. Attending a Wellness Forum or joining a club or organization which interests us is a good thing to get social. It’s the nature who has made us in a way that we function well when we get socially connected. Today’s trend & social transition is the greatest tragedy to humans. So we must make a proportion and a balance in our lives and acquire social well being for greater purpose of our healthiness.

                                                                             DR SHILPI GUPTA