The Power of Social Connections
May 13, 2024
The Importance of Social Connections
New Zealand is one of the most sociable countries in the world, and alongside that, they are also the happiest country. This is not surprising as we are wired to connect with others, and these connections affect our health. These social connections are the relationships you have with people around you. They can be people close to you such as friends, and family. They could also be more distant, like people you know casually. They could be people who live far away that you speak to by phone or online or who are close by. During adolescence, hormones and brain development cause changes in social lives, it is a process known as social reorientation.
It has been found that feeling connected and supported by others can help:
- control blood sugars
- improve cancer survival
- decrease cardiovascular mortality
- maintain a healthy body max index
- help with post-traumatic stress
- decrease depressive symptoms and improve our mental health overall.
Therefore, it is essential we find ways to develop relationships with others.
Social isolation is the opposite of feeling connected, it is the lack of relationships and little social support or contact. For our ancient ancestors, being isolated from the tribe would have had serious consequences and forming long lasting-social bonds was crucial for survival. Social isolation may not have as serious consequences as it did thousands of years ago; however, it can lead to:
- increases in depression and anxiety
- sleeplessness
- reduced immune function.
If you are feeling isolated you are certainly not alone, approximately 7.1% of people in Great Britain (3.83 million) experience loneliness often or always. Additionally, there are support systems and strategies available to enhance your sense of connection with others. This article will serve as your guide; leading you through these strategies and helping you discover the resources available.
Challenges with making Connections
Connecting with others may have been simpler thousands of years ago within tribal communities, free from the demands of the modern world and the influence of technology that can profoundly affect our social relationships. Before life with technology, communication relied on slow methods like letters, lacking the immediacy we now associate with social media. While social media offers instant connection, it can foster feelings of exclusion and loneliness, and social interactions can be less meaningful than face-to-face.
The following are some further obstacles that we can face when trying to make connections:
- Difficulty with socialising and communicating: Poor self-esteem and social confidence can negatively impact social abilities
- Mental health problems: Social anxiety disorder
- Overuse of social media: Research indicated that excess online time can make forming real relationships difficult.
- Addiction: Addicted to games can make it harder to find the time to develop relationships. Research found that too much screen time is negatively associated with social skill development.
How to form strong Connections
Now we understand the importance of making strong social connections and acknowledge the challenges involved, let’s explore the strategies to develop them. Face-to-face interactions remain most important as they provide vital non-verbal cues essential for effective communication.
There is no magic number when it comes to social connections, it has been suggested that introverts are happy with two or three good friends and extroverts may need more.
Here are some other effective ways to develop social connections:
- Moderate technology use: Enforce time limits on devices, and engage in regular conversations with family members. Parent control apps such as Qustodio can help you take steps to manage and limit your child’s screen time as well as monitor their activity on social networks.
- Meet new people: Join extracurricular clubs or social groups to expand your social network.
- Work on communication skills: Practice active listening, maintain eye contact, and engage with others.
- Prioritise quality time with love ones: Allocate dedicated time to spend with family and friends, fostering deeper connections.
- Seek therapy: Address social anxiety or mental health issues through therapy or counselling sessions.
Prioritising and nurturing social connections is vital for our well-being in today’s fast-paced world. While technology has transformed communication, it’s important to remember the value of face-to-face interactions which can make genuine connections.
By understanding the challenges and using the strategies in this article, we can create meaningful relationships which can enhance our mental health. Remember, you’re not alone in seeking connection, ant there are resources and support available to help you along the way.