Social well-being is not just about social interactions but also about maintaining healthy connections with everyone around

As an individual are you the one who is keeping regular contact with your friends and families; spending quality time with them; participating in community events; celebrating your traditions and culture; keeping yourself engaged in volunteer work or has joined a group based on your interests? If the answer is yes then, as an individual you are socially well defined.

Wellness is the active pursuit of activities, choices and lifestyles that leads to an individual’s overall well-being. Social well-being or social wellness (as referred to at times), is the development and maintenance of positive interactions which allows a person to feel valued and build a sense of belongingness at the workplace. It is one of the 8 pillars of health and wellness that is required for individual holistic development.

In the words of Aristotle “Man is by nature a social animal.” Human beings are mutually dependent social creatures who need to love and be loved. Social and emotional well-being is a holistic concept that encompasses how an individual thinks and feels about themselves and others. It helps in developing and maintaining positive interactions with people and with local and global communities. Also, social well-being affects physical health. People with meaningful social relationships and good social connections tend to be happier, healthier and even live longer than those who don’t.

During COVID, when remote working and flexible work arrangements became the norm – there was a considerable need for dispersed employees to feel connected, engaged and supported. It is only the act of social well-being that helps the employees to stay connected and well-defined. Also, in the long run, both the employees and the workplace are benefitted due to social well-being as it gives a sense of belonging. When a person is socially inclined it makes the individual feel valued as a member and feel connected to a wider social environment.

Social well-being is an important tenet of overall well-being. It is not just about social interactions but also about maintaining healthy relationships with everyone. At times, these social interactions have an impact on an individual’s mental and physical health including increased happiness with others. Being in love with loved ones, spending quality time with family and friends, being active in the community and volunteering at times are some of the ways that boost this social pillar of health.

On the contrary, the lack of a positive social network can be highly detrimental to an individual’s health along with some dramatic consequences. In a recent statistical survey, it was found that approximately 4 million adults in the UK and the US suffer from chronic loneliness. People with few social ties end up having health issues due to poor social health. The risk of heart disease and heart attack; chronic diseases; high blood pressure; elevated stress hormones; Cancer; Poor mental health; Anxiety and depression and at times even suicide. Social well-being is a real and important piece of an individual’s overall well-being.

Our health is multidimensional. Good social well-being includes not only having good and healthy relationships but also behaving appropriately in these relationships and maintaining acceptable social standards. There are numerous benefits when a person is inclined towards social connections and good mental health. Studies and statistics have proven that when a person is socially inclined there is a lower rate of anxiety and depression, greater empathy, high self-esteem and more trusting and cooperative relationships. Also, it helps to reduce stress and other heart-related risks, thereby improving an individual’s ability to fight off germs and giving a more positive outlook on life along with formulation of bonds and relationships with others thus improving the quality of life and helping in strengthening communities. 

(The writer is an educator)