We’ve all heard about the impact physical fitness and healthy eating can have on our mental well being. But what about social fitness? When at work incorporating healthy behaviours in to our daily routine can have a positive impact. Work itself offers many benefits. It can give us purpose, build self esteem and keep us mentally active. And while social fitness may seem relatively new as a concept, it has been an important ingredient for maintaining good mental health for many years. So what exactly is it and why should you care?
What is social fitness
Social fitness is the ability to form and maintain healthy relationships. Good communication skills and a willingness to participate in social activities are crucial for social fitness.
A strong social network can provide emotional support to reduce stress, reinforce self-esteem through acceptance and help maintain mental sharpness and physical fitness. According to research carried out by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention those of us with strong social connections have a significantly lower risk of suffering certain conditions including stroke and heart attack.
Building social fitness
One size does not fit all. We’re all different and some are more extroverted than others. Good social fitness does not need to mean being the life and sole of the party. If you’re an introvert then the right type of social interactions for you might involve small groups of close friends. We all have different personalities so you should aim to find a social network that works for yours.
Social interactions shouldn’t need to just involve traditional socialising. Nurturing friendly working relationships with colleagues is just as important. Its more about the connection than the circumstances in which they’re made.
If you’re a bubbly and outgoing person you might feel building relationships is easy for you. Remember, social fitness is about building meaningful connections with others. Its about having a network you can trust to support you and being willing to support them if needed. If the relationships you have just now do not meet those needs, focusing on your social fitness may be a priority.
Facing the challenges
Some people feel anxious in social situations. The fear of rejection can be a barrier to building meaningful connections with others. Keep in mind most people experience moments of awkwardness when building new friendships. If you feel uncomfortable in social situations, seek out support from elsewhere. Some employers may offer the services of a counsellor as part of their efforts to maintain good mental health. A few sessions with a counsellor may enable you to address your lack of confidence in social settings.
Alternatively you could expose yourself to social situations gradually. For instance, build friendships over coffee break at work so you have one or two people you can feel comfortable around before attending a busier event.
Online socialising is often preferred by some who don’t find social interaction with others easy. While virtual interactions in chat rooms is an important part of social fitness, its not enough by itself. An over reliance on online social connections can lead to withdrawal from other aspects of life and a deterioration of mental health.
And finally…
Social fitness is about having a network of friends with which you have built a meaningful relationship. It can involve few or many and isn’t just about being sociable. It may mean you need to be willing to listen and be open about yourself with others. It will mean you will need to invest the time and effort to build trust. However, given that social fitness has been found to impact physical as well as mental health the time and effort will be well worth it.