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