Social Wellness

Social wellness is defined as developing a sense of connection, belonging, and a well-developed support system. Think of this as the dimension where your friendships and other relationships reside and how you interact with others. While we may feel comfortable and fully competent in our own social circles, social wellness is a much more broad concept. Being socially well means having the ability to develop meaningful relationships with people outside of your inner circle. Socially engaging with more people allows us to become aware of different ideas, experiences and lessons that we can take with us throughout life. Social wellness also encompasses understanding of your responsibility as a world citizen. Making healthy, nurturing and supportive social connections on a daily basis is important to our overall wellness as humans and can offer support during difficult times. This could be with close friends or with people we are meeting for the first time. It also includes balancing the dynamics of different types of relationships, including familial, collegial, and romantic, as well as friendships.

Goals for Your Social Wellness

  • Create and maintain meaningful relationships.
  • Interact with diverse individuals and groups, including those with varying religious views, life experiences, ethnicities and race, gender identities, socioeconomic statuses, abilities, social class, etc.
  • Be intentional and create time to nurture your relationships with family, friends, and colleagues in person or through a video chat or phone call.
  • Give back to your community through a commitment to serve.
  • Devote time to dismantle stereotypes and understand your implicit biases in regards to lifestyles, opinions, and viewpoints different from your own.
  • Develop a “global consciousness” by recognizing the interrelatedness of cultural, global and national issues and needs.

Social Wellness Resources

Clergy-Based Organizations (food assistance, financial assistance, etc):