When life gets stressful, sometimes the last thing we want to do is talk with friends and family. However, one of the best things you can do for stress relief is to get social support. And there’s no better time than the present to start.
Being stressed out is a normal part of life, but being chronically stressed can lead to several health problems. Fortunately, while stress may be inevitable, there are many ways to manage it. From choosing to buy cbd oil to trying different meditation techniques, there are many ways to combat stress. However, one of the best stress relievers is social support, and one of the best ways to get social support is to join a social community.
Stress is one of those things that most of us have to deal with on a daily basis. It can leave us feeling anxious, overwhelmed, and irritable, and often it can be hard to find a healthy way to manage that stress. Fortunately, there are ways available to cope with it, or at least control it. Some people rely on meditation and yoga, while others find solace in CBD products like those sold by Vibes CBD. There are some other people as well who go on to find support when the stress becomes too much to handle.
What Is Social Support?
Social support is a network of people around you that you can rely on in times of need, for support and guidance. Research has found that strong social support is inversely related to depression, suicide, and premature death, while weak social support is directly associated with all of these. But it’s more complicated than just knowing whom to call when you need someone to lean on. Social support also has a lot to do with the type of support you get.
The Risks of Isolation and Benefits of Social Support
Social support and physical activity are two of the best ways to manage stress. Social support is especially important for relieving stress since social isolation has been linked to a higher incidence of illness.
We spend a lot of time thinking about ourselves. We plan our days, schedule our workouts, and map out our careers. But the fact is, we (and every human on the planet) need other people. We need them in our lives to make us feel useful, happy, and fulfilled. And while it’s no secret that humans are social creatures, many of us resent that. We resent that we need to be with other people. We want solitude and independence and would rather spend time with ourselves than with other people. But the truth is, we need social support too. And in fact, social connection is critical to our overall wellness.
Despite knowing this, many people, especially young people, avoid socializing for fear of being judged. There are a few ways to overcome this fear: being present and listening. Other studies suggest the advantage of social support networks that include these:
- Lowers the risks of cardiovascular diseases, by helping lower blood pressure
- Promotes healthy lifestyle patterns
- Encourages treatment plan adherence
- Promotes long-term good psychological health
- Enhances self-esteem
- Improves one’s ability to deal with any stressful situation
- Alleviates the effects of emotional distress
Cultivate A Social Support Network
You may not realize it, but one of the keys to happiness is social support. Even the happiest person in the world needs some support in order to experience happiness and contentment.
- Be a Volunteer. Many people find that cultivating a personal social support network is key to stress management. Volunteer opportunities can provide that opportunity. Volunteering doesn’t just boost your mood. It can also help boost your social life.
- Join a gym or wellness group. It’s no secret that staying active is a great way to reduce stress, but others say they need to use physical exercise as stress relief. Regular physical activity, particularly in groups, can provide emotional support, as well as the physical benefits of stress reduction, such as lower blood pressure and heart rate. Diet and supplements can also help. Stress supplements like Levium (you can check levium review) tend to aid well in combating stress.
- Take a class. Think of an activity that you like to do. By yourself. Now put yourself amongst 6 other people who enjoy the same activity. Whether it’s dancing, singing, painting, writing, or whatever else comes to your mind, if you enjoy doing it-take a class. Meeting other like-minded people could offer the needed support, and help form a great network to stay connected with.
- Look online. One of the best ways to cultivate a social support network is to start socializing online. Online support groups can provide valuable information, support, and feedback to help you cope. They may be able to share with you what worked for them, whether they preferred to take the next level distillate of cannabis, performed yoga, or practiced meditation. Depending on the similarities of their situation with yours, you can try those methods.
Don’t underestimate the power of social support during hard times. Even positive people in your life can be a source of stress if you continually seek their approval.
Remember, social support does not just mean having friends, but having those who can be there for you in both good as well as difficult times.
The Foundation of Social Networks – Give and Take
Social network analysis is a field within sociology that explores the impact of social networks on individuals and groups. Social networks analyze the ties or relationships between people, communities, and other groups. These relationships are “social” in that we exchange favors, goods, and services within our groups. Further, these ties are “networks” in that there are many connections and intersections between individuals. Thus, social networks are complex. But each one of us is deep in it, and the sooner we accept it, the more we can start to improve our relationships. And that can only be better for our lives, right?
Relationships are the fuel that keeps our personal and professional network active and healthy. Maintaining relationships is the foundation of social networks, and without strong ties, a network loses its value.