When we consider cultivating social well-being, most consider our relationships with friends and family. But how we interact with ourselves, the environment, and other living beings also impact our well-being.
Here are five strategies- for cultivating social well-being that can help you feel happier no matter what’s going on around you:
1. Practice gratitude.
Gratitude is the first step to cultivating social well-being. It is not enough to focus on what you want or need in life- if you want to feel happier and more connected then it’s essential that you also acknowledge what is already good about your situation.
The MAP dashboard is a simple tool to help you identify what’s going well in your life. It helps you see how all significant areas of your life are related and interdependent, so it may be easier to notice when something isn’t working as well as it could be.
Gratitude can be practiced in many different ways:
- Be grateful for the things you have (and don’t have). One way of practicing gratitude is by recognizing all that we already have in our lives, whether material possessions or relationships with others.
- By taking some time each day or week to reflect on these things and appreciate them thoroughly, we can cultivate a sense of appreciation for all aspects of our lives- even those which may seem insignificant at first glance!
- Be thankful when someone does something nice for us (or even acknowledges us). On top of being grateful towards ourselves, there are countless daily opportunities to practice showing appreciation towards others’ actions and words; these moments often go unnoticed but mean so much more than people realize!
- Give back whenever possible by helping others who might need assistance with something small like opening doors/picking up items etc., volunteering locally at events such as food drives, etc., donating blood regularly (if medically eligible), writing letters/cards, etc.
2. Be mindful of the present moment.
In the present moment- you can focus on your body, and how it feels. You may notice, that your stomach is growling, or your feet are tired from standing all day. You might feel an emotion like anger, sadness, or joy as you think about something in the past or future.
When we’re mindful of our thoughts and feelings as they arise in the present moment, it becomes easier to manage these experiences without being overwhelmed by them- and thus, more likely for us to lead happier lives overall!
3. Connect with nature, or even just flowers and trees.
It can also help you feel more connected to the world around you. For example, if you’re having a hard time sleeping at night because of stress or anxiety, going outside and taking some deep breaths (or even just looking at trees) may help calm your mind so that it’s easier for sleep to come.
Similarly, connecting with nature can also help us feel more connected to ourselves; walking outside every day gives us an opportunity to reflect on our lives without distractions from technology or other people-something which might not happen if we were stuck indoors all day long!
4. Do good deeds for others.
There are many reasons why doing good deeds can improve your mood, health and social well-being. When help someone else makes you feel better about yourself, others will also appreciate your efforts.
Studies have shown that helping others may also lead to a healthier lifestyle because it encourages an active lifestyle that includes exercise and healthy eating, all of which contribute to overall well-being!
5. Express what you feel in words and actions.
Express your feelings. It can be challenging to share your feelings with others, but it’s essential. When we bottle up our emotions, they often come out unexpectedly, making things worse for everyone involved.
There will be times, when you need to express how you feel and there will be times when someone else does the same thing and that’s okay!
Be open about your feelings towards others and yourself: if someone has done something wrong or hurtful (or right), tell them so; if something good happens in your life, let others know how grateful or happy you are with them!