Nurturing Social Health: The Key to Thriving Relationships

Of all the pillars I used to be asked most commonly what I meant by social health.

Then lockdown happened when we couldn’t see or hug our loved ones, go for a run or a pint with a friend or spend casual but meaningful time with those we want to. Bad times.

Social health can be defined as; ‘Social wellbeing is building and maintaining healthy relationships and having meaningful interactions with those around you’ (Boston University, 2020)

I would class myself more on the introverted side than most would assume based on my career choices and experience. That is to say I am generally energised by self talk/ time alone to think and reflect. That said I treasure the important relationships I have really taken the time to nurture.

My individual relationships with my 4 children, my uniquely special friendship and relationship with my wife Sam, and the very close relationships I love with my key family members and close friends. Nothing brings me greater joy in any element of life than time with these people (along with worry, drama, frustration etc etc that comes with the package!).

I count myself super lucky to have the people I care for in my life. So here are some top tips on creating positive social wellbeing:

• Friends. Choose your people and invest time wisely. Find those who you can tell really care, help you and appreciate being helped by a trusted friend.
• Time. Our most valuable commodity – give if wisely but give it fully, be supportive, show up, encourage, apply active listening to understand perspectives.
• Honesty and trust. One builds the other. This includes polite tough love and saying what you think is for the best, not just what people want to hear.
• Be yourself. If you’ve ever caught yourself trying too hard to fit in, relate and enjoy just being yourself then I would ask if that person or community is for you right now or why it might not be