Health and Happiness: Building Social Connections

Forging meaningful relationships, whether they be romantic or platonic, with others.

What are the benefits of Social Connections?

• Above-average levels of happiness
• Lower levels of depression and anxiety
• Higher resiliency across stressful events and environments
• Lower blood pressure
• Better immune response
• Decreased levels of stress hormones
• Diminished pain
• Sharper memory

Some tips for Social Connections:

• Not everyone has one person to confide in. You can foster different relationships for various kinds of support.
• If you’re there for others, they more than likely will be there for you. Use Random Acts of Kindness and Gratitude Letters to open doors.
• Digital devices help keep us in touch with people across the country. Remember that face-to-face communication is often the best!
• It takes time to nurture new relationships. They don’t happen overnight.
• If you’re anxious about interacting with others, consider talking with a therapist. Find someone with specialized social skills training.
• Attend some community events to make new connections. Here is the community calendar: 

What are some tools for Social Connections?

• Social Connections Worksheet
• Stress Less Exercise
• Conversation Starters