Humans are inherently social, with a fundamental need to connect. Spending time with friends and family and connecting with others can significantly improve our wellbeing.
Loneliness and community
We all know how much better we feel when we chat with a friend, colleague, or family member. While feeling lonely occasionally is normal, prolonged loneliness can have many negative effects.
It's important to distinguish between loneliness and solitude. Loneliness is an unwanted state where you lack connection and community, while solitude is a chosen state where you take time for yourself.
Having a supportive community and nurturing your relationships, much like tending to plants, is crucial for your mental and physical wellbeing.
When we're feeling low and insecure, we can fall into a pattern of negative thoughts, leading to actions that make us feel more isolated and self-conscious, lowering our self-esteem. It's important to challenge these thoughts and try to connect with others. Opening up to someone can be a huge relief, allowing us to share the burden.
If, however, you’re still struggling, feeling sad and alone and avoiding company it might be time to seek further support through your GP practice.
Useful websites
Listen to Dr Hannah Dakin's podcast on maintaining health relationships
Relationships and social media
Nearly all of us use social media and for most of us it is a positive activity, fostering connection and community and enhancing friendships. We can learn from and be inspired by others, whether through challenges, travel, recipes or life stories and connect locally, nationally and internationally.
However, using social media also has drawbacks. Following negative people, encountering negative comments, and constant, unproductive scrolling can lead to feelings of inadequacy, increased stress, or even depression.
Finding a balance is key. Social media should be enjoyable and have a positive influence in your life. If you're finding it stressful or it's making you feel unhappy you might want to take some time away from social media channels. You can use features such as the downtime button in your settings can also help limit the time spent on social media.
Connect with others - hints and tips
There are different ways we can enhance our relationships with family, friends and colleagues and create new opportunities to connect with others.
These include:
- Family meals – a good way to connect with the wider family, even if it's just a few times a week. Make time to sit down together and chat, switching off the TV and phones
- Lunch breaks – if you can, have a chat with colleagues
- Be inclusive – include new people in your social circles, and welcome new colleagues
- Physical activity - try new sports, join a walking group or take a gym class - a great way to stay fit and meet others
- Join new clubs or courses - a great way to do something you love, meet new people and make new friend
- Volunteering – there are lot of opportunities across Fife and beyond, find a role that you love and connect with others
- Chat to people you don’t know – strike up a conversation at the bus stop or in the shop queue
- Working from home – staying connected is important - hot desking can be a good option, have team meetings online, check in with colleagues daily and get together in-person on a monthly basis
Tending to your relationships is a form of self-care. By taking time to connect with others, you can enhance your own wellbeing and enrich your life and the lives of others.
