The instinct to socialize is a uniquely human trait. From ancient times to the modern world, our lives have been shaped by communication, connection, and community. While many are well aware of the social and mental health benefits of maintaining a vibrant social life, the benefits to our physical well-being may be overlooked. Across cultures and species, socialization is an essential part of surviving and thriving, and for humans, it plays a powerful role in building community and maintaining good health and well-being.
What Does it Mean to Socialize?
Put simply, socializing is interacting regularly with others in ways that foster connection and understanding. This results in an individual building a sense of belonging within their communities, families, or friend groups. Within these social groups, people are able to better understand others, themselves, and make sense of their surroundings and of the ever-evolving world around them.
Socializing is a vital part of our social and mental health. By forming interpersonal connections, we foster greater emotional connections, which are a fundamental part of an effective social environment.
Why is it So Important?
As social creatures, human beings thrive on communicating with others and finding our place within our community. When we are deprived of this, the negative impacts can be profound. Whether we’re experiencing a period of prolonged isolation or social disconnection, research has shown that we may experience an increase in feelings of anxiety, depression, and in some cases, cognitive decline.
Without regular contact with others, an individual’s mental and physical well-being becomes threatened, including their ability to display healthy social skills, their levels of engagement, and even their ability to learn to respect others and themselves. This may lead to complications associated with their physical and psychological well-being.
If a person begins to withdraw and become increasingly socially isolated, it’s important that they seek support from a licensed mental health professional, such as a therapist, psychologist, or counselor, qualified with a Masters in Mental Health Counselling online. By building their mental health treatment team, they’ll be able to discover the root cause of their isolation and begin healing and working their way back to a place of holistic health.
How Can Socializing Aid Your Physical and Mental Health?
There are a number of health benefits to socializing. Outside of simply having a good time with friends, maintaining a good social life also benefits:
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- Mood: Maintaining satisfying relationships, platonically or romantically, individuals can expect to experience an increase in their mood and a reduction of negative emotions, like depression, anxiety, and stress. By finding a social group where they are able to communicate emotions and feel a sense of belonging, they may find it easier to manage fluctuating levels of stress, tension, and negativity in all aspects of life.
- Chronic illnesses: Research suggests that people who engage in regular socialization may see a dramatic reduction in the likelihood of serious chronic disease and illness. This can include, but is not limited to, heart disease, stroke, dementia, depression, and anxiety. In the absence of such illnesses, individuals can continue to pursue healthy social activities and expect to live longer, healthier lives.
- Personal habits: Have you noticed an increase in groups of people taking walks together or joining a run club? Many people lean on their social groups to help maintain healthy habits. By approaching healthy habits as a group, people are more motivated to stay consistent and may even find the benefits spreading into other aspects of their lives, like getting better quality sleep and having a healthier and more balanced food intake.
Socializing is a vital factor in an individual’s overall well-being, not just a mere choice. It benefits our psychological and physiological health in numerous ways, including but not limited to lowering stress, decreasing the risk of chronic disease, and promoting healthier living habits. In a world where isolation and distractions are becoming more and more prevalent, engaging in beneficial and healthy social activities will only be better for people in the long run.