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How Do Social Ties Affect Mental Health?

Written by:
Rabia Khaliq
MSc in Applied Psychology

The link between social relationships and mental well-being is well-established in social psychology. Quantity and quality of social contacts impact mortality risk, health behavior, and mental and physical health. Moreover, having friends and other social contacts benefits your overall happiness.

This article describes the importance of social ties for your mental health. Keep reading to know more!

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How Do Relationships Shape Us?

Since humans are social creatures, you could say that the quality of our relationships determines the quality of our lives. Relationships can alter one’s perception of oneself, bring out particular facets of one’s personality, and impact one’s perspectives and objectives. Our identity depends on our relationships and the tales we tell about them. Therefore, relationships define our identity, sense of belonging, and legacy. This demonstrates how people differ from one another since they are both shaped by connections.

Why Is Social Interaction Important?

Social interaction is the foundation of any relationship between two or more people, which is how we behave and respond to those around us. Physical gestures, body language, speech, dialogues, playing, sharing, and other behaviors are all part of these relationships.

Increased cognitive ability, good mental health, communication skills, independence, and enhanced physical health are just a few of the many physical and mental advantages that positive social connections provide.

Below are a few ways that socialization can be beneficial to you. So, social connections:

  • Improve your mental health — they can make you happier and more optimistic.
  • Benefit the physiological health of your brain and lower your chances of dementia.
  • Encourage your sense of security, safety, and belonging.
  • Enable both you and others to have confidence in one another.

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How Does Social Health Affect Physical Health?

There are numerous health benefits of social interactions. Scientists are looking at the molecular and behavioral elements contributing to their positive effects on health. For instance, they’ve discovered that they aid in reducing dangerous stress levels [1*] that can negatively impact the immune system, gut flora, insulin sensitivity, and coronary arteries. Another body of research contends that acts of kindness cause the production of hormones that lower stress.

Evidence also points to the fact that social support positively benefits both the giver and the receiver’s quality of life. These kinds of social relationships make us happy and impact our long-term health, comparable to getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, and quitting smoking. According to studies [2*] , people with the social support of their family, friends, and community are happier, experience fewer health issues, and live longer.

How to improve social connections

How to Maintain Social Connections?

Anything you can do to maintain your social network benefits your body and soul. Here are some key ideas for maintaining social connections. Cross items off your list to inspire you to interact with people more.

  • Your social network should be close and valuable. The size of the social circle doesn’t matter. Keep a close-knit circle of friends, family, and/or neighbors nearby.
  • Have a specific someone you can talk to frequently, such as your spouse or a reliable friend.
  • Improve your active listening skills.
  • Spend quality time with the people who matter to you most. Plan or set aside times to meet with them in person.
  • Pick a cause that matters to you, then get engaged. There will be people you can connect with who have similar interests and values.
  • Social media and the internet have fundamentally altered how people engage and communicate globally, for better or worse. However, social media can be used effectively to overcome any hesitation you may have about forming social connections.
  • Be friendly and open when you meet new people.

In the case of social anxiety, therapy is an effective treatment option. MEDvidi can help you find out more and schedule an appointment.

At the End

People are “social animals.” Social ties are crucial for growing our sense of happiness, security, belonging, and self-worth since our relationships with others influence how we feel. We can feel safe by forming connections with our loved ones and friends. And if you have anxiety about meeting new people, don’t want to interact with people for a long time, or struggle with maintaining good relationships with your loved ones, don’t hesitate to ask a mental health professional for recommendations.

Sources

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2 sources
  1. Stress, depression, diet, and the gut microbiota: human–bacteria interactions at the core of psychoneuroimmunology and nutrition. (2019)
    Source link
  2. Social Support from Family and Friends and Subjective Well-Being of Older African Americans. (2016)
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Written by:
Rabia Khaliq
MSc in Applied Psychology
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Evidence Based

This article is based on scientific evidence, written by experts and fact checked by experts.

Our team of experts strive to be objective, unbiased, honest and to present both sides of the argument.

This article contains scientific references. The numbers
in the parentheses (1, 2, 3) are clickable links to peer-reviewed scientific papers.