“No Medicine Cures What Happiness Cannot”
-Gabriel Garcia Marquez
The World Health Organization or WHO defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” Social health refers to the ability to adapt to social situations and form meaningful relationships with those around.
The integration of social well-being in the definition of health has been the result of years of research. Studies have found that while people living in well integrated communities show faster recovery rate and longer life spans, social isolation can often breed adverse health effects. Health issues most commonly associated with social health include:
- Cardiovascular Diseases such as Hypertension, increased risk of stroke, cardiac arrest, and the like
- Chronic diseases
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Poor Immunity
- Hypertension
To understand Social Health and its interlink with our physical and mental well-being, let’s take a look at the social determinants of health.
Social Determinants of Health
SDH or Social Determinants of Health are the environmental and social factors that come to affect people’s health. These include the conditions in which one lives and grows and the different family, work, and social relations established along the way. SDH also encompasses economic and political factors such as social policies, developmental goals, economic policies, and much more.
SDH are the one of the most crucial factors for revealing and addressing disparities in health statuses across social groups. For instance, the lower a person is in the socioeconomic ladder, the worse their health symptoms due to difficulty accessing basic resources such as healthcare, food, and so on. Some of the basic social determinants of health include- Sanitary Housing Conditions and Safe Neighbourhoods, Access to Education, Access to Healthcare and Nutritious Foods, and Employment Opportunities with Satisfactory Income.
Although you can not transform these determinants at an individual level, bringing them into discussion is essential to generate awareness and ignite conversation around the role that public, political, and financial policies can have on our individual well-being.
Now let’s talk about You and ways in which you can improve your social health!
How To Ace Social Health and Wellness
“Quality over quantity” is the key to deciphering social health. Social health does not imply having a large group of acquaintances. It is rather about finding contentment in the relationships you have and building meaningful connections. Here are some tips for building and safeguarding your social health:
- Me-Time!: Social health requires you to find a balance between the time you dedicate to socialising and to yourself. You can utilise this me-time to practise meditation, self-care, exercise, read, and so much more.
- Healthy Communication: Healthy communication involves articulating your thoughts and conveying them through a clear channel without any negative emotions bundled underneath. It also implies conveying your thoughts and feelings without feeling ashamed or fearful.
- Engaging with the Community: Being raised in a strong community is one of the most enriching life experiences. Healthy communities show inclusion and diversity instead of racism, violence, and segregation. You can connect with your community by partaking in community events, group activities, volunteering, or even joining certain online communities.
- Living Your “Most Authentic Life”: A crucial part of social health is being your authentic self. The people you surround yourself with shouldn’t make you feel the need to tailor yourself to “fit in” or “belong”.
Summing Up
Social Health advocates a holistic understanding of health by calling attention to aspects we often overlook. It stresses on the importance of community, support networks, and meaningful relationships in influencing our overall health. Afterall, as Jim Rohn puts it, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.”