How to Improve Social Health: 15 Practical Tips for a Better Social Life

“The groundwork for all happiness is health” ,

said Leigh Hunt. Fortunately, we all know exactly how to lay the groundwork for happiness.  Want to improve physical health? Easy-peasy. Eat enough nutrients, walk ten thousand steps, and sleep at least eight hours. Is mental health a matter of concern? Again, we all can come up with a list as long as your arm of the tips like meditating every day, doing a digital detox, or practicing journaling. Interested in how to improve social health?

Wait! Social health? Is it even a “health”? I bet not many of us know what social health is, yet the lack of meaningful social connections takes a toll on mental and physical health and detracts from happiness. I invite you to delve deeper into this vastly underappreciated aspect of human well-being.

What Is Social Health and Why Is It Important?

If you look up the definition of “health” on the World Health Organization website, you’ll find this: “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being.” As you see, health is not only about our body and psyche but also about our links to others. Kasley Killam, the author of “The Art and Science of Connection”, defines social health as “the aspect of overall health and well-being that comes from connection” 

Why should we ever take care of social health? Well, you will be surprised at how influential it is. Connection in various forms is linked to a range of benefits to the body, including a stronger immune system, lower risk of disease, and greater overall health.  Among examples of good social health are support groups which, by creating meaningful social connections, provide the members with emotional support and eventually help them to address such health problems as binge eating, addictive behavior, or a sedentary lifestyle.  

Are there any social health tips like those we use for improving our physical and mental health? Yes! We offer you a tangible approach to strengthening your social health and embracing its positive effect on the body's biology and well-being.

15 Ways to Improve Your Social Health

Here are 15 effective ways to improve social health and foster a sense of community in your life:

1. Work in a coworking space.  If you are a freelancer, consider working in a shared working space. It has a bunch of positive outcomes for your social health compared to the isolation of a home office: building up your network of contacts, working around other members of other professions, and almost inevitable interactions with people.

2. Remember names. Practice remembering the names of people you encounter regularly in your daily life: the barista who makes your favorite coffee; the security guard you see every morning at the office door; or the cashier at your local shop. Pay attention to their names often displayed on their name badges and call them by name during your next small talk. Simply exchanging pleasantries with a barista brings more joy and warmth to your social interactions.

3. Join hobby clubs. Are you a bookworm? Or an avid cooker? Find a community of like-minded people who would share your passion. Not only will you have fun discussing a book with others, but you will also benefit from a nourishing sense of belonging.

4. Go online. If you can’t find a hobby club in the area you live in, don’t give up on the idea of joining a community. Instead, make use of social networks. By reaching out online, you can find or even create groups that align with your interests. Here is a list of online hobby groups and forums that you can join to make your hobby more socially healthy:

• collecting stamps and postcards -  Postcrossing and Stampworld;
• knitting and crocheting -  Ravelry;
• photography - Flickr;
• gardening - GardenSavvy;
• reading - Goodreads;
• cooking and baking - Cooking secrets
• Art and craft - DeviantArt
• writing - Wattpad

5. Avoid phubbing. Phubbing is a word that comes from merging phone and snubbing (to ignore). We all are familiar with this unpleasant and irritating feeling of being ignored by others when they stick to their phones instead of being fully present. Likewise, we are all guilty of phubbing others. This behavior makes our conversations superficial and erodes the connection. So, next time you find yourself reaching for your smartphone when sitting with your friend at a café, put it into the handbag and invest in your bonds instead.

6. Practice active listening. By maintaining eye contact, asking questions, and conveying your interest verbally and nonverbally, you will cultivate bonds with others and bolster your social health as a result.

7. Dig deeper. David Brooks, a New York Times columnist and an author, mentioned that instead of asking people,” What do you think about that?’ he asks,” How did you come to believe that?” That’s a completely different ball of wax, isn’t it? Next time you find yourself mingling at a party or a business event, try deeper versions of questions to make your conversations more meaningful.

8. Reconnect with old friends. You might feel uncomfortable to appear in the lives of your high school friends with “Hi! Remember me?” awkward telephone call. There is no need to call them out of the blue to reconnect the bond. Try subtler ways of reaching out to them: follow them on social media, comment on their posts, and send reactions to their stories. Little by little, you will start feeling more confident and ready to strengthen your social ties.

9. Volunteer in the community. Identify a good cause that resonates with you, and you will inevitably connect with like-minded people. Being among those who volunteer is a nourishing experience, not to mention its benefits for bolstering social health.

10. Prepare for family gatherings. Sometimes, disconnection flourishes even within families. To deepen family relationships, you can plan your family get-togethers. You might want to organize a family talent show or play charades. Having fun together will help all members of a family feel deeply connected to each other.

11. Find shared enemies. While “enemies” sounds a bit dramatic, bonding over a shared frustration can be surprisingly effective. Find someone around you who can relate to your annoyances and dislikes: the city traffic or bad cafeteria food. It may sound counterintuitive, but mutual dislikes can bring you closer together. 

12. Use the law of reciprocity. Without a doubt, it is much easier to warm up to someone when you know they like you. Similarly, if you demonstrate genuine interest and affection toward others, they are more likely to reciprocate these feelings. Why not praise your colleague for a brilliant idea or tell your friend how much you appreciate their sense of humor? These sprinkles of kindness can strengthen our links to others and improve our social well-being.

13. Practice gratitude. People love to feel valued. Saying thank you or giving a genuine compliment can help your relationships. Practice gratitude to nurture deeper connections with others.

14. Enroll in classes. You can always resort to the Internet and self-study techniques to practice new skills. However, practicing alone doesn’t contribute to your social health and can be less effective. Opt for local workshops to feel connected to others and gain support in the learning process.

15. Create shared experiences. To spark connection as well as deepen existing bonds, try to share life experiences with others: accept invitations to networking events, plan movie nights for your family, or go on a date with your partner.

It is vital to implement these social health tips in life; not merely because they will enrich your life, but because social health is as important as food and water, and therefore it would be unwise to dismiss it as unimportant.

Simple Daily Habits for Better Social Health

If you can’t get your head around ways to improve social health you can do every day, try developing simple but effective daily habits:

• Set aside time to call or text your nearest and dearest.
• Take breaks from social media and focus on in-person communication.
• Express gratitude to your friends and family.
• Work on your communicative skills with a coach.
• Be present during the conversations.
• Practice starting conversations.

While it can be difficult to apply new habits or embrace new social ties, greater social health is worth the effort. Miranna’s well-being coaches will be there for you to overcome the challenge of changing your life and help you stay on track. 

Embrace Social Health for a Happier You

We live in a time when physical and mental health dominate conversation, while social health is often overlooked. Nevertheless, decades of research have proven that higher levels of connection correlate with lower levels of depression and anxiety, as well as greater self-esteem and increased empathy. To help you foster these connections, consider downloading the Miranna app, which provides support tailored to your needs, guiding you from isolation to connection. Prioritizing your social health can lead to a longer, healthier and happier life.

FAQ

What are 5 ways to improve social health?
There are many ways to improve social health, but five effective strategies include:

1. Joining hobby clubs – Engage with like-minded people to foster a sense of belonging and social interaction.
2. Practicing active listening – Show genuine interest in conversations by maintaining eye contact and asking thoughtful questions.
3. Reconnecting with old friends – Use social media or small gestures to rebuild past relationships.
4. Volunteering in the community – Participating in meaningful causes helps build strong social ties.
5. Enrolling in classes – Attending local workshops can connect you with others and provide a support system for learning and growth.

Which is the best example of good social health?
A great example of good social health is participating in a support group. Whether it’s for personal growth, health improvement, or shared interests, support groups provide emotional support, help combat isolation, and promote mental and physical well-being. Engaging in regular social activities, such as attending family gatherings or working in a coworking space, also demonstrates strong social health.

How to improve your social connections?
To improve your social connections, start by setting aside time for in-person interactions, such as meeting friends for coffee or joining networking events. Avoid distractions like excessive phone use during conversations, practice gratitude, and be proactive in reaching out to people. Using platforms like social media to stay connected and engaged can also strengthen relationships over time.

How to maintain a healthy social life?
Maintaining a healthy social life involves a balance of quality and quantity in your interactions. Prioritize meaningful relationships by making time for loved ones, being present during conversations, and regularly engaging in social activities that align with your interests. Setting boundaries and practicing self-care are also crucial to ensure social interactions remain fulfilling rather than overwhelming.

How does social health improve health?
Strong social health positively impacts overall well-being by reducing stress, boosting self-esteem, and even strengthening the immune system. Meaningful social connections have been linked to lower risks of anxiety and depression, better cardiovascular health, and improved longevity. Building and maintaining social connections can enhance both mental and physical health, leading to a happier, healthier life.