Easy Ways Gen Zers Can Improve Social Wellness
Grace Trelease
| 3 min read
Grace Trelease is a Corporate Communications Intern ...
Key Takeaways
- Reducing distractions such as screen time can help Gen Z individuals devote more time to building meaningful relationships and improve their social wellness.
- Increasing community involvement through activities like joining clubs or volunteering can boost socialization and happiness.
- Setting boundaries and practicing open communication are crucial for maintaining positive mental and physical well-being, leading to healthier relationships and increased life satisfaction.
Social wellness is the ability to develop strong connections and relationships among others, resulting in developed trust, interdependence, respect and an awareness toward the feelings of others, according to the Ohio State University Student Wellness Center.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, Gen Z has put more importance on their wellness than before, even saying their mental well-being is the most important aspect of their health. Increased social well-being can lead to positive mental health outcomes, while loneliness is associated with higher rates of depression, anxiety, heart disease and more. Read more about different ways Gen Z can improve their social wellness and overall well-being.
Reduce distractions
Reducing the number of distractions in your life is a great way to devote time to building meaningful relationships. A great example of this is reducing the amount of screen time in your life.
A national survey of 2,000 people found an average Gen Zer consumes 6.6 hours of media per day, more than any other generation. The report also found Gen Z spends about $100 on media services monthly, compared to the Silent Generation, who spend an average of $24 per month.
Adults should get seven or more hours of sleep per night, leaving 17 hours waking hours a day. This means Gen Z spends nearly 40% of their waking time on some form of digital device.
A great way to improve social wellness and to build healthy relationships is to reduce the amount of screen time and distractions you consume every day. This frees up time to build lasting relationships and engage with others, boosting your social wellness. Limiting screen time and building better relationships can lead to reduced stress, anxiety and depression, according to the Mayo Clinic.
To further reduce distractions, put the phone away and talk with others in a place with little chance of interruptions to give them your full attention.
Increase community involvement
Another great way to increase social wellness is to become more involved with your community, whether at your college or workplace. That could include taking a fitness class, joining a club or organization, volunteering or going to local events. Getting involved can increase socialization and your chances of meeting new people.
Being involved in many different things is better than being involved in just one or two things. According to a study by Harvard Business School, the more diverse your social “portfolio” is, the happier people tend to be. Talking to a variety of people increases happiness more than the length of time you spend talking to someone.
Set boundaries
While increasing the number of social relationships is great, setting boundaries is important for maintaining positive mental and physical well-being. Being comfortable in social situations and relationships is necessary for wellness. Establishing boundaries with the people in your life can strengthen your comfortability, leading to lower stress levels and increased life satisfaction, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Setting boundaries lets others know your limits and needs, ultimately leading to healthier and more understanding relationships. Open and honest communication isa great way to foster and build relationships, leading to more positive social wellness.
Other ways to improve social wellness
The methods above are great ways to improve social wellness, but there are plenty more to try. Social wellness can also be improved by:
- Expressing gratitude toward others.
- Getting to know your neighbors.
- Demonstrating empathy and an understanding of others’ feelings.
Image: Getty Images
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