Youth Social Wellness
Oftentimes, we can find ourselves bogged down by the bad news of the whole world. News and media always cover the bad things going on because it makes the most coverage. But, it is important to remind ourselves that we are social creatures, that our ancestors would have never made it in a world of chaos without relying on each other and loving one another.
There is no wonder why so many cultures around the world place lots of emphasis on family. No matter where you are or where you live, it is important to stay connected and find people who you can form bonds with. Whether that be family, friends, student peers, coworkers, acquaintances in after-school activities, or pals in other parts of the world, your bonds keep you healthy and happy.
Making connections and strong relationships
First, let’s discuss how social connections can benefit you.
Wide-ranging research suggests that strong social ties are linked to a longer life. People who have larger and more diverse types of social ties tend to live longer and have better physical and mental health than people with fewer such relationships.
With a longer life, you would eventually be able to see your children and your grandchildren grow well into their adult years. What they do and what they will be doing won’t have to be a mystery because you can be there to witness it all. But in contrast, social isolation is linked to poorer health, depression, and an increased risk of early death meaning a shorter and less fulfilling life.
Not only is physical contact important, it is necessary. If a newborn child is neglected (lack of hugs, lack of communication, lack of general love) for months after birth, they show a substantial decrease in various brain chemicals that allow the child to develop proper social behavior later in life. If the neglect or abuse is bad enough, the child may develop attachment disorder in which the child has problems dealing with behavior, emotions, and new situations.
As people get older, they might be able to deal with neglect or trauma better but their biology is still there. Your brain needs those chemicals to continue proper social behavior so establishing habitual physical contact with people close to you is deeply important.
But regardless of who you are, it is essential that you facilitate healthy relationships instead of unhealthy relationships. Relationships of any kind are bound to have disagreements, the important thing is that they don’t turn into personal attacks. You should be able to disagree with one another while still respecting the other person.
Honest healthy relationships bring people up not down. They make people feel safe and secure while still leaving room for pushing boundaries and exploring one’s capabilities without ridiculing one another. Teasing is a normal and fun way of getting along with others but it becomes too much once one person takes it too far or doesn’t stop when asked.
So, what are a few ways to make connections?
Join an after-school program focused on a favorite hobby, such as reading, coding, painting, wood carving, or chess.
Take extracurricular classes that involve fun topics such as art or photography
Help with gardening at the school garden or community park
Volunteer at your school, library, hospital, place of worship, or elderly retirement home
Join programs outside of school that might contain something you haven’t tried yet such as yoga, martial arts, or pottery.
Getting active and eating healthy with others
Sitting down at a desk all day can lead to a whole lot of problems if not getting up occasionally and moving around. Heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, and certain kinds of cancer can show up later in life due to a sedentary lifestyle. Being less active also leads to higher cases of depression and a decrease in brain function as you age.
Eating healthy is something many people struggle with. Whether it is because they are consuming way too much sugar or eating too many processed foods, people can be malnourished and not even know it. Make sure to eat healthy meals so you can improve your heart health and mood.
Fortunately, getting active and eating well while socializing with others can be rewarding and simple!
What are a few ways to get active or eat well within your community?
Start walking in a group of friends, neighbors, or co-workers
Head to the gym with friends
Find bike trails and ask some people to come along for a bike ride
Join after-school activities that contain physical activity like sports or dance
Search for programs that promote physical activity such as martial arts, dancing, or yoga
Limit screen time by being active with your family
Avoid snacks and meals in front of the TV and instead eat nourishing meals with family and friends
Put nutritious food where it’s easy to see in replacement of processed snacks.
Taking care of yourself while caring for others
Perhaps you have a parent or grandparent that is reliant on you for specific chores, maybe a friend with personal problems is in need of assistance, or maybe a sibling is badly injured and you’re at least partially responsible for them, whatever it might be it is essential that you take care of yourself while also caring for the people around you.
Caregiving may help to strengthen connections with a loved one. Some find joy and fulfillment in looking after others. However, it is important that the strain of caregiving does not become overwhelming, especially when being young and untrained. Oftentimes, the lack of breaks and the stress of being responsible for someone dear to you can be overpowering.
So what can be done to help manage that stress?
Get organized, have a routine that you can follow nearly every day
Ask others for help on tasks that are difficult on your own
Take breaks each day and set aside time to spend with your friends and family
Keep up with hobbies and interests
Talk to others about what you are going through whether that be counselors, other friends, or teachers
Closing remarks
In the age of the internet, people can make friends from all parts of the world as if they were right in your own neighborhood. The same concepts of healthy relationships apply here too.
Remember that your health is your priority, both physical and mental. No matter what struggles you are going through or what challenges you are forced to overcome, you have people that care about you and people that will be there for you.
Make sure to be there for them as well.
