SOCIAL SELF-CARE

We have spent the last year talking about the importance of self-care, but not necessarily its components. So, let’s focus on social self-care. First, what is it?

Social self-care is about cultivating our feelings of love, appreciation, and gratitude in connection with others. This social aspect of self-care is integral to our mental health and should be nurtured regularly. It’s about feeling cared for and special and generating that feeling for others.

Let’s face it: The pandemic has made it much more difficult to maintain our friendships because we’ve had to prioritize the safety of ourselves and others first. Now, we know more than ever that having supportive social relationships is crucial for sustaining short-term health gains and longterm gains. The science says that social self-care reduces stress and anxiety, boosts self-esteem, leads to much healthier relationships, and helps us navigate setbacks and critical health crises. There is even evidence that suggests that it helps us as we experience trauma-related incidents. So, what are we waiting for? Consider these ideas:

Schedule a regular phone touch-base time with family members, close friends, or loved ones. Write a card, text, or even post-it note to a person you value. Meet with a friend and walk and talk. Simply being a good listener and connecting creates a sense of belonging.

By Jane Marks

Commit to regular social activity for your own wellness. Dedicate this time to yourself, especially if you are a caregiver or a caretaker. You all know my favorite: Zumba classes! Make time to play. Find time in your day to have an intentional, fun time with someone else—and if your time is limited, connect with a furry friend. This invites a renewed calmness. Give a small gift to someone you care about. This simple act not only feels good but the satisfaction and the anticipation of joy for both you and the recipient has a ripple effect for weeks. Take a moment to offer empathy, concern, trust, acceptance, encouragement, appreciation, and caring.

Remember: being mindful of social self-care is the wisest investment you can make in the weeks to come. The rewards are there for you and the people in your world.