Social Health
A big part of being a good communicator is being a good listener. Hearing the words and understanding what the other person means and feels are vital skills in nurturing healthy relationships. This starts by truly focusing on what is being said. Try not to interrupt and don’t appear judgmental or critical. Also, keep eye contact, nod, smile, and maintain an open and inviting posture.
© American Institute for Preventive Medicine
Social Health
Be smart using cellphones and smartphones.
Cellphones, smartphones, computers, and tablets make it fast and easy to get and stay in touch with family and friends. They also let you express your love and best wishes through text messages, videos, emails, and email greeting cards. But with these benefits come risks. To protect yourself, your kids, and personal data, practice cellphone and smartphone safety:
* Password-protect your phone, but don’t store your password on your phone.
* Install security software and anti-virus protection. Download updates for these, too.
* Shop and do banking at home instead of when you are using a public Wi-Fi zone. Use only secure sites (https://) when giving personal data.
* Keep from storing credit card and banking information on your phone. Delete emails that contain this information after they are sent, too.
* Clear your inbox and sent messages on a regular basis. Delete “Spam” or “Bulk Mail” messages without opening them. Then delete your “Trash.”
* Turn off your “Bluetooth” when not in use.
* Backup data and photos you store on your smartphone. You can sync the data on your phone to an external hard drive on your personal computer.
Keep from losing your phone! If you do lose it:
* Find out how to remotely lock and wipe data from it.
* Call your cellphone or smartphone carrier to report the loss. Ask about options to cancel your service.
Teach your kids to use their phones within limits:
* Set rules and limits for the usage of their devices. Discuss what is okay and not okay to do to protect their identity and address bullying issues.
* Use parental controls to keep your children from getting improper content on websites.
* Monitor the use of their phones.
* Set limits for calls, texts, internet usage, and costs for app downloads to avoid extra charges at the end of each month’s billing cycle.
Don’ts:
* Don’t talk, text, or read text messages while driving. Use a hands-free device if this is legal in the state you are driving in.
* Don’t reach into the backseat to search for your phone while driving.
* Don’t “sext” (take, send, or accept nude photos on your phone). You can become the target of scandal, bullying, job loss, or expulsion from school.
* Don’t lend your phone to others. They can easily send a damaging text message attached to your number.
* Don’t give your number to strangers or post it on Facebook or Twitter.
Action Step
If your phone has GPS tracking, learn about privacy features so other people can’t stalk you or your children.
© American Institute for Preventive Medicine
Social Health
Both you and others benefit.
Gallup surveys in 130 countries show people with higher personal well-being are more likely to say they give time, money, or help to others in their communities. A community can be:
* Your neighborhood, city, county, state, or country
* Your place of worship
* Societies or groups you belong to
Benefits of Volunteering
In general, volunteers reported higher levels of happiness, life-satisfaction, self-esteem, and a sense of control over life. Studies have shown a strong link between volunteering and health benefits. Two hours a week, about 100 hours a year, is the number that is linked to the following benefits:
* Less chronic pain
* Lower rates of heart disease
* Lower rates of depression, especially for volunteers age 60 and older
* Lower death rates
One study of alcoholics going through the Alcoholics Anonymous program found that those who helped others were nearly twice as likely to stay dry a year later. Their levels of depression were lower, too.
Besides health benefits, volunteering can help you learn job and social skills. You can also take part in activities that you enjoy and find rewarding.
There are many ways to give to your community.
Choose activities that you enjoy, that you are able to do, and that fit with the organization’s needs. Things to consider:
* Donate household goods and clothing.
* Volunteer at church and community functions.
* Deliver meals to people at home. Work in a soup kitchen or food bank.
* Start a community garden or help plant or harvest one.
* Help in building a house for a family in need through Habitat for Humanity.
* Be a support person for people with the same health problem you have.
* Mentor a child.
* Coach a children’s team.
* Become a Big Brother or Big Sister.
* Volunteer for disaster relief services through local groups or the Red Cross.
* Donate your frequent flier miles to Make a Wish Foundation.
* Give money to a needy cause.
Action Step
Find out a variety of ways to help others in your community from Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve America at
© American Institute for Preventive Medicine
Social Health
Do the work you love and work at loving what you do.
A recent survey found that only 19 percent of workers in the U.S. and Canada were satisfied with their jobs; 16 percent were “somewhat satisfied,” and about two-thirds were not happy. Workers say they are not happy due to little or no pay raises, having to do more work due to job cuts, and getting fewer benefits or having to pay more for them. Many feel stuck in their jobs, but say it is not easy to leave due to the state of the economy. This does not paint a good picture of well-being for employees.
Tom Rath and Jim Harter, authors of the book, “Wellbeing: The Five Essential Elements,” do not limit the word “career” to your line of work. They define it as what you do each day and how you occupy your time. This includes home and family care, school, and other activities you do in the community. In their book, they state that career well-being is the most essential. The other four of these elements are community, financial, physical, and social.
Ways to increase career well-being:
* Deal with stress. Get and stay organized at work and at home.
* Take breaks. Eat lunch away from your work area.
* Be friendly. Greet coworkers and visitors.
* Spend time with coworkers you like and who share and/or understand your challenges. Encourage each other to pursue career goals.
* Use your skills and talents during non-work hours if they are not part of your job.
* Find your passion in life. Do something you enjoy doing every day.
* Focus on the positives. Avoid people who have negative attitudes.
* Be assertive with your needs. Ask for information and help if you need it to complete tasks.
* Be a team player. Work toward common goals.
* Take charge to advance your career. Let your boss and coworkers know what you can do and ideas you have that can benefit them and the company.
“You’ve got to find what you love. And that is as true for your work as it is for your lovers … If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it.”
– Steve Jobs
Action Step
Be prepared to make a job change for one that better suits your career goals, interests, and skills. Keep an up-to-date resume, references, and strong work portfolio, as needed.
© American Institute for Preventive Medicine
Social Health
Well-being relates to relatives.
Your family is where you learn who you are and how to relate to others. It plays a vital role in fulfilling the human need to belong and have close, long-term relationships. Whether you are a child, teen, or adult, family experiences can promote or hinder your well-being.
Tips to foster family well-being:
* Live a healthy lifestyle together.
– Plan for, shop, and eat healthy foods.
– Exercise as a family if you can. Or, promote physical activity suited for each family member.
– Get enough sleep.
* Plan to eat at least one meal a day together. Have each person talk about his or her day, such as stating the best part and worst part.
* Spend time together. Attend important events for each family member.
* Express care and concern. Be available to help each other out. Listen, listen, listen.
* Practice good manners. Say, “Thank you” and “You’re welcome.” Make it a practice to send thank you calls, notes, letters, or emails to others for gifts and other acts of kindness.
* Express affection. Say, “I love you,” “I care about you,” and “You mean a lot to me.”
* Discuss the value of the family as a whole. Encourage individual expression and development.
* Define clear, yet flexible roles for family members. Assign family chores.
* Keep the house as organized as possible.
* Discuss the need to adapt to changes and deal with stressful events.
* Seek professional help for problems the family cannot deal with on its own.
Factors that promote well-being:
* Being well cared for and feeling secure
* Receiving trust, love, support, and hugs
* Spending quality time together
* Listening well to each other
* Solving problems in a positive way
* Positive mood of family members
* Satisfaction with job and/or being a parent
* Being involved with partner and children
* Higher income and/or financial security
Action Step
This week, let at least two family members know how much you love them. Visit or call a relative who is alone or would be happy to hear from you.
© American Institute for Preventive Medicine
Social Health
Good friends are good for your health and well-being.
Do you want to live longer? Spend time with friends! Researchers looked at 148 studies that focused on social relationships and longevity. They concluded that people with stronger social relationships had a 50 percent increased chance of survival. This finding held across age, gender, initial health status, cause of death, and length of follow-up period. Specific studies have shown that:
* Women with breast cancer who took part in a support group lived twice as long and had less pain as women who did not.
* People with successful friendships are less likely to have depression and immune problems.
* People with the least variety of social relationships were 4.2 times more likely to catch a cold. This was true even though being around others exposes people to more viruses.
* Having social support increases self-esteem and helps people cope with stress, grief, trauma, and relationship problems.
Benefit from friendships.
* Give and get emotional support.
* Relax and have fun doing things you enjoy together.
* Encourage each other to follow healthy lifestyle habits, such as being physically active and quitting tobacco use.
* Look forward to celebrating good times.
* Be comfortable to express wants, needs, and opinions without being judged.
* Feel a sense of purpose.
* Give and receive unconditional acceptance.
Being a good friend takes work.
* Communication is a two-way street. Discuss what’s going on in your life. Listen to what’s going on with your friend.
* Expect and give respect. Keep your friend’s private issues private. Ask that he or she does the same.
* Focus on solving problems, not just complaining about them.
* Make time for each other no matter how busy you are.
* Offer help whether or not your friend asks you for it.
Action Step
Call, text, email, or write a note to a friend today. Let your friend know how much he or she means to you.
© American Institute for Preventive Medicine
Social Health
* Attend a support group with others who share the same health problem you have.
* Volunteer in a soup kitchen or food bank.
* Take care of your friend’s or family member’s children and let them return the favor.
* Call, text, email, or visit a friend today. Let your friend know how much they mean to you.
Dos
* Share your feelings with trusted relatives and friends.
* Vent your feelings and give and get support on social media networks.
Don’ts
* Don’t let your emotions get “bottled up inside.”
* Don’t post any messages or photos that you would want an employer or stranger to see.
© American Institute for Preventive Medicine