Wide-ranging research suggests that strong social ties are linked to a longer life. In contrast, loneliness and social isolation are linked to poorer health, depression, and increased risk of early death. Studies have found that having a variety of social relationships may help reduce stress and heart-related risks.
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Social connection is one of our core psychological needs which means it plays an essential role in how safe and satisfied we feel in our lives. Social groups provide us with an important part of our identity, forming who we are and teach us a set of skills and norms that help us to function throughout life.
Strong ties with family, friends and the community provide us with happiness, security, support and a sense of purpose. Being connected to others is important for our mental and physical wellbeing and can be a protective factor against anxiety and depression.
As humans, social interaction is essential to every aspect of our health. Research shows that having a strong network of support or strong community bonds fosters both emotional and physical health and is an important component of adult life.
Social connection is important as it improves your physical, emotional, and mental health. By nature, we as human beings are inherently social. While caring for your body and mind through healthy habits is important, establishing and maintaining social connections with others is important too.
Why is staying connected important?
People who engage in meaningful and productive activities with others tend to live longer, improve their mood, and have a sense of purpose. So, it is important that we stay socially connected to family, friends, and neighbors during this time of physically distancing ourselves from others.
Why is it important to build connections with people?
Connections allow you to benefit from the help you receive from others, and you can also offer support to them when they need it. These relationships create a mutually beneficial system, in which increasing your network also increases your effectiveness and helpfulness in professional settings.
Try these tips to help you stay close to your family, friends and fellow service members.
- Make Yourself Available. Building close relationships take time.
- Stay Connected.
- Attend Social Activities.
- Develop Your Communication Skills.
- Build Trust.
- Show Up for Others.
How can you make more social connections?
- Invite a friend who makes you laugh, and go to a funny movie.
- Send an encouraging email or text message to someone who’s going through a hard time.
- Look for a faith community that shares your views.
- Call a food bank or hospital and ask about their volunteer programs.
Social connections are the relationships you have with the people around you. They may be close, like family, friends, and co-workers, or more distant, like people you know casually. They can be as close as next door or so far away that you only connect with them by telephone or through the Internet.
Why is it important to connect with friends?
Friends prevent isolation and loneliness and give you a chance to offer needed companionship, too. Friends can also: Increase your sense of belonging and purpose. Boost your happiness and reduce your stress.
Why is connection important in communication?
This means that if we want to communicate with others, we must be sure we are connecting with others. If we are connected, communication will be much easier and more effective. If we are disconnected, it doesn’t matter what we are communicating because the message isn’t getting through.
Personal and Social Relationships
Social relationships are relationships that occasionally meet our needs and may lack the closeness and interdependence of personal relationships. Examples of social relationships include coworkers, distant relatives, and acquaintances.
Don’t dwell: Don’t overthink the situation or what people will think about you. Instead of focusing on yourself, shift it to the person and the conversation. Actively listen: Take the time to listen and ask questions. Nodding and giving positive prompts (e.g. I see) helps the person know that you are paying attention.
Recent studies from Ireland and the USA have found that negative social interactions and relationships, especially with partners/spouses, increase the risk of depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation, while positive interactions reduce the risk of these issues.
Why is it important to stay in touch with friends?
A 2011 study published in the Developmental Psychology Journal showed that having your best friend present can actually buffer the effects of negative experiences. Your body will actually produce less cortisol (the stress hormone) and your sense of global self-worth is higher with a buddy around.
Is it important to have friends in life?
Friends bring more happiness into our lives than virtually anything else. Friendships have a huge impact on your mental health and happiness. Good friends relieve stress, provide comfort and joy, and prevent loneliness and isolation. Developing close friendships can also have a powerful impact on your physical health.