What are social connections?
Social connections are the relationships we have with the people around us. The relationships we have at school, work, in leisure, and at home affect our physical and mental health. Good social connections help build our resilience, improve our physical and mental health, and help us cope with life stress.
How to build stronger connections:
Prioritize
It is important to spend quality time with the people in your life who matter the most to you. Schedule or plan times when you can connect with these people in person.
Participate
Getting involved and sharing experiences makes us feel like we belong, and gives us the chance to meet new people while having fun. Join a group of people that share a common interest, or volunteer at a community event in your neighbourhood.
Reach out
There are times when we need extra help. When you are having a tough time, reach out for support. Try to accept help when someone offers it to you, and think of ways you can help others. Calling a friend or speaking to a trusted person can help you cope with difficulties, and gives you a chance to share and learn from others. Speak to your health care professional if you need more help, or check out these resources.
Consider the following for Social Media
Social media is very different than connecting in person. It's really helpful to talk to someone in person. Try and be mindful of your screen time. Nothing can replace face-to-face connections.
Too much screen time can:
- Lead to poor sleeping habits
- Be bad for your overall health and wellbeing
- Lead to not doing the things that are important to you
Also, if you share something personal on social media, people may not respond the way you expect them to. Some communities and families never talk about mental health. Some people might even be mean to you. This can be especially true if you talk about your struggles on social media. People can be mean. Make sure you are in a good place and ready before you share or post anything online. Finally, if you need help but don’t know where to go, visit our mental health resource page. Many services are available 24/7.
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