1. What Is Social Wellbeing?
Wellbeing is composed of multiple components. It may relate to a person’s physical wellbeing, if they are doing enough regular exercise, if they are maintaining a balanced diet or getting enough sleep. It will encompass a person’s mental wellbeing, if they are able to effectively manage their mental health, overcome negative thoughts and feelings or conditions such as anxiety and depression. But there is one aspect that could arguably be tied into both. That aspect is social wellbeing.
2. Social Wellbeing: What is it?
Social Wellbeing is dependent on a person’s relationships with others. This does not necessarily mean having an endless network of friends and family that you are constantly in contact with. It more relates to the strength and value of your relationship with others.
Feeling comfortable, valued and free to express yourself in a safe space amongst your peers is invaluable to a person’s wellbeing. When an individual feels connected to those around them, they can develop their communication skills, feel there is a support network and better discuss their feelings when they are struggling.
The people you are closest with will be able to identify when you are struggling and aren’t yourself and vice versa. Even the looser, more casual connections can help with your overall wellbeing. Having friendships in the workplace enable for greater communication, understanding of your colleague’s workstyle and can make the workplace a more pleasant and enjoyable environment to be a part of.
3. Social vs mental wellbeing: What’s the difference?
There is a strong relationship between social and mental wellbeing. Neither can truly thrive without the other. Having the option to discuss your mental wellbeing and the struggles you are facing is often enough to relieve some of the pressures associated with poor mental health.
The World Health Organisation states that health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. Through well maintained social wellbeing, mental wellbeing becomes easier to manage. By avoiding isolation, we develop greater social skills and understanding of ourselves and others. We can also become more aware of the telltale signs of declining mental health.
Whilst general mental wellbeing can be practised in solitude through things like meditation, journalling or simple thought exercises, social wellbeing is entirely dependent on social interactions with others. Mental wellbeing is tied to a person’s self; social wellbeing is more based on participating with your peers as an active member of a community and feeling value in this shared connection.
4. Why is social wellbeing important?
Humans are inherently social beings. It is why forms of communication are ever evolving and why there is such a focus on teamwork in workplaces. When humans fail to interact with those around them, they become less understanding of issues that may affect them and less aware of how their actions may create a negative environment.
As individual as we may feel in certain instances, nobody can maintain a positive sense of self and mental wellbeing in isolation. In Australia, research from organisations like Relationships Australia highlights that loneliness is a significant predictor of physical and mental health issues. Our home and work lives are part of a shared ecosystem and they can be extremely fragile. This is especially true in the workplace.
With the rise of hybrid and remote working across Australian cities, isolated working methods have become more common. However, this does allow for self doubt and internalised negativity to fester, which not only impacts a person’s perception of their workplace, but it could also lead them to spread this negative sentiment amongst others.
