03/02/2024
TITLE: The Power of Social Wellbeing - my most recent Press Article:
To experience optimal health and wellbeing, it is crucial to focus on aspects of life that influence one’s body, mind, energy, and spirit. The dimensions of wellness consist of equally interdependent focal areas affecting each day, helping us to thrive and reach personal goals. We are unique individuals with specific needs, not only including staying free from illness, but also recognizing value in embracing and maintaining true purpose in life. Active involvement in every aspect helps one feel emotionally healthy and happy.
Several diagrams denote the “Wheels of Wellness”, each differing in number of dimensions to help one focus on enhancing and maintaining a healthier lifestyle. The version with eight dimensions covers essential, practical areas: emotional, physical, social, intellectual, spiritual, occupational, and environmental. To embrace a more fulfilling life experience, one should pinpoint greatest needs in each area, then take time to discover ways that work to attain and support them.
One powerful wellness dimension is the social aspect, strongly sustained by one’s deep sense of connection to others. Addressing social wellbeing naturally leads to contemplating fulfilling, enduring relationships. These interactions should be based on mutual respect, trust, and kindness. Enduring bonds of friendship are nurtured by developing and embracing reliable support systems. Long-lasting friendships don’t always follow a plan, but, ultimately, they energize people and enhance their healthy aging abilities. Many think that everyone has a “best” friend; however, if a consistently dependable, honest friendship is lacking in an individual’s life, creating a plan-of-action to expand positive social experiences is vital. Cultivating lasting, loyal friendships in this way enhances personal empathetic abilities, benefitting all involved by nurturing wholesome outlooks on life.
How can one improve upon social wellbeing in a practical, balanced way? Try taking part in a club or volunteer organization. Initially, interacting with like-minded people may be easier. As one becomes more comfortable around others, enjoying quality time in a diverse group can be uplifting, inspirational and insightful, too. Healthy interactions with family and friends create fulfilling life experiences; keeping in touch with those who live far away is key to communicating openly, made easier now through technological advances such as FaceTime, Zoom and texting. Even a brief phone call does wonders to lift the spirits on both ends of the line.
Additionally, reaching out to close friends or family for support when needed can change one’s mood within moments. Sharing a cup of java or tea, walking together in nature, or enjoying a quick hug when running errands reinforces social health and wellbeing. Always remember that maintaining social rapport with others includes respecting their personal boundaries appropriately. Kindness and generosity are key in helping one feel comfortably valued; in turn, for all involved, health improves, stress levels decrease, and everyday life experiences are enriched.
Take the initiative to open your heart, mind, and soul to embracing more meaningful and powerful social experiences. You won’t regret it!
Tagline BIO: Teresa (Teddy) E. Araas, PhD, C-IAYT, ACLM, RCHES, E-RYT500, RPYT, a certified Yoga Therapist, owns local business Santosha Yoga Center. Teddy also teaches pre-professional nutrition health science courses at Sheridan College and is an adjunct research fellow on doctoral dissertation committees for Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions, Provo, Utah.
Contact her at: theyogaqueen@gmail.com
