Connect
Connect for mental wellbeing
When it comes to our wellbeing, other people matter.
Evidence shows that good relationships – with family, friends and our wider communities – are important for our mental wellbeing.
Mental wellbeing means feeling good about ourselves and the world around us, and functioning well.
Building stronger, wider social connections can help us feel happier and more secure, and give us a greater sense of purpose.
Connect with the people around you, there is lots of evidence that when we feel close to people, and really valued by others we naturally function well in the world: connecting with your family, friends, colleagues and neighbours can be great for our mental wellbeing. Spend time developing these relationships.
With this in mind what can you do differently today to make a connection?
- Rather than email, text or What’s App go and talk to someone
- Speak to someone new, this can be difficult one and can make us feel anxious, but I bet you it you feel great once you have done it
- Ask someone how their holiday was or weekend went, then pause and listen when they respond
- Spare some time and put 5 minutes aside to find out how someone really is
There is nothing better than real conversation, real hugs and real laughter, again rather than conversation over the phone walk to school with your friends or share a bus journey with your mates
How relationships help our wellbeing
Human beings are social animals. Relationships build a sense of belonging and self-worth.
Strong relationships with family and friends allow us to share our feelings and know that we're understood.
They provide an opportunity to share positive experiences, and can give us emotional support.
They give us a chance to support others, something else that's known to promote mental wellbeing.
There's also evidence that wellbeing can be passed on through relationships.
Being around people with strong mental wellbeing can improve your own mental wellbeing.
Build relationships for wellbeing
Building relationships for wellbeing means:
- strengthening your relationships with people who are close to you, such as family and friends
- broadening your relationships in your community and the wider world
There are lots of ways to build stronger and closer relationships:
- If possible, take time each day to be with your family. This could include a fixed "family time" each day.
- Arrange a day out with friends you haven't seen for a while.
- Switch off the TV and play a game with the children, or just talk.
- Make the effort to phone people sometimes – it's all too easy to get into the habit of only ever texting, messaging or emailing people.
- Speak to someone new today.
- Have lunch with a colleague.
- Visit a friend or family member who needs support or company.
- Volunteer at a local school, hospital or community group.
- Make the most of technology – video chat apps like Skype and FaceTime are a great way of staying in touch with friends and family, particularly if you live far apart.
Your login details have been used by another user or machine. Login details can only be used once at any one time so you have therefore automatically been logged out. Please contact your sites administrator if you believe this other user or machine has unauthorised access.