Social support can positively impact on your mood and body, especially when going through stressful tasks or situations. Studies have found that social support can
reduce your blood pressure while undergoing stressful tasks and boost your immune system
.
Social support seems to have a
direct effect on immune system functioning
. Social support can affect health indirectly by influencing health-related behaviors, such as exercise and eating properly.
Social support is one of the important functions of social relationships.
Social support is always intended by the sender to be helpful
, thus distinguishing it from intentional negative interactions (such as angry criticism, hassling, undermining).
- Emotional Support. …
- Informational Support. …
- Tangible Support. …
- Self-esteem or Affirmational Support. …
- Belonging Support.
The benefits of social connections and good mental health are numerous. Proven links include
lower rates of anxiety and depression, higher self-esteem, greater empathy, and more trusting and cooperative relationships
.
Maintaining an optimal level of social wellness
allows you to build healthy relationships with others
. Having a supportive social network allows you to develop assertive skills and become comfortable with who you are in social situations. Surrounding yourself with a positive social network increases your self-esteem.
- Balancing your social and personal time.
- Being your true self at all times.
- Engaging with people in your community.
- Treating others with respect.
- Maintaining and building strong relationships with friends.
Better mental health –
it can lighten your mood and make you feel happier
. Lower your risk of dementia – social interaction is good for your brain health. Promotes a sense of safety, belonging and security. Allows you to confide in others and let them confide in you.
Social Health is a term that refers to
the ways in which people create healthy and positive interpersonal relationships with one another
. Having good social health helps people improve their emotional wellbeing and feel supported in their daily lives.
Possible ways that perceived social support can buffer stress include preventing the individual from negatively reacting to a stressor by redefining it as not stressful, increasing an individual’s ability to proactively and reactively cope with the stressor, providing supportive solutions for stress, or having an …
Social support may be provided in the form of: Physical or practical assistance (e.g.,
transportation, assistance with chores
) Resource and information sharing (i.e., information on community resources) Emotional and physiological assistance (i.e., someone who listens to and encourages you)
- help at home from a paid carer.
- meals on wheels.
- having home adaptations.
- household gadgets and equipment.
- personal alarms and home security systems so you can call for help (for instance, if you have a fall)
Typology. Cutrona and Suhr define a social support category system, which involves five general categories of social support:
(a) informational, (b) emotional, (c) esteem, (d) social network support, and (e) tangible support
.
What are 3 things that can influence your health?
- Education. Your education level can have an effect on how healthy you are. …
- Income. The amount of money you make has an effect on your health. …
- Housing. Where you live has a significant impact on your health. …
- Access to health care.
Studies have found that social support can
reduce your blood pressure while undergoing stressful tasks and boost your immune system
. Research has also shown that spouses with a strong social support network had better immune system functioning than those with low support when caring for a partner with cancer.
Poor emotional health can
weaken your body’s immune system
. This makes you more likely to get colds and other infections during emotionally difficult times. Also, when you are feeling stressed, anxious, or upset, you may not take care of your health as well as you should.
The reason why social wellness is so important is that
people who have healthy relationships, and a strong social network tend to live longer and respond better to stress
. This reduction in stress and anxiety results in a healthier endocrine system, healthier cardiovascular functioning and an enhanced immune system.
In essence,
if an individual needs assistance with aspects of their daily living and require care within a safe and secure environment
, these can be considered to be social needs. This could include help with washing and dressing, assistance at mealtimes, help with mobilising, etc.
Why is it important? Positive social interactions have a wide range of both physical and mental benefits, including
increased cognitive ability, good mental health, communication skills, independence, and improved physical health
, especially in older people.
The evidence shows that positive social connections at work—supportive interactions, a sense of belonging, and effective teamwork—
improve worker well-being and can protect against harmful effects of workplace stress
. Positive relationships at work are also good for the bottom line.
