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Friday: Mindfulness by Miles
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FROM THE DESK OF MILES EVERSON:
Hello, everyone!
Happy Friday and welcome to “Mindfulness by Miles!”
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I’m excited to talk about another wellness tip today. Hopefully, you’ll enjoy reading this topic and find it helpful in improving your overall well-being.
In this article, let’s focus on the topic of social self-care.
Keep reading to learn the importance and benefits of having a social life in your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health.
CEO, MBO Partners
Chairman of the Advisory Board, The I Institute
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The Not-So-Self Self-Care: Here's a key to thriving relationships and emotional well-being!
In the whirlwind of life, it’s easy to get caught up in personal responsibilities, work demands, and self-improvement pursuits. However, amid all of these, we must not forget an essential ingredient that adds flavor and fulfillment to our lives:
SOCIAL SELF-CARE.
While self-care is often associated with personal well-being, social self-care involves nurturing our connections with others. In this article, we’ll delve into the significance and benefits of embracing this type of wellness.
Social self-care refers to activities and practices that promote and maintain our social well-being and fulfillment. It involves engaging in behaviors and building relationships that contribute to a sense of connection, belonging, and support within our network.
This type of self-care encompasses various activities and approaches depending on our individual preferences and needs. Some examples include:
- Building and maintaining relationships: Actively investing time and energy in cultivating and nurturing relationships with family and friends.
- Setting boundaries: Recognizing and asserting personal boundaries to maintain healthy relationships. This involves communicating needs, saying no when necessary, and avoiding toxic relationships.
- Participating in community activities: Joining groups, clubs, or organizations.
- Seeking support: Confiding in a trusted friend or seeking professional help from therapists, counselors, or support groups.
- Practicing active listening and empathy: Being present and attentive when interacting with others, demonstrating genuine interest, and empathizing with people’s experiences.
- Balancing social activities: Recognizing the importance of both socializing and spending some alone time. It’s essential to strike a balance between these two to recharge and reflect.
- Engaging in acts of kindness: Engaging in altruistic acts or random acts of kindness to foster a sense of connection and purpose. This includes volunteering and helping others in need.
As a global business leader, I personally value having time for my social self-care. In a professional role where I always tend to be on-the-go, I make sure I regularly take time to socialize with my family, friends, and even colleagues. This not only keeps my sanity intact but also enables me to build stronger and more authentic relationships with those around me.
So, what are some of the benefits of social self-care?
- Building Meaningful Connections
Humans are inherently social beings, wired to seek connection and belonging. Social self-care allows us to strengthen our relationships with family, friends, and broader communities.
By investing time and energy into building meaningful connections, we enhance our sense of belonging, support, and overall well-being. Engaging in deep conversations, sharing experiences, and offering support cultivates a profound sense of connection that enriches our lives.
- Enhancing Emotional Well-being
Engaging in social activities and interactions stimulates the release of oxytocin, dopamine, and endorphins—the “feel-good” hormones that promote happiness, reduce stress, and boost overall mood.
Through shared laughter, heartfelt conversations, and emotional support from our social networks, we can find solace, comfort, and validation, leading to emotional resilience and a sense of security.
- Strengthening Mental Health
Maintaining healthy relationships and seeking support help us navigate the ups and downs of life, and reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation. By proactively investing in social self-care, we create a protective barrier for our mental well-being.
- Promoting Personal Growth
Social self-care offers abundant opportunities for personal growth and self-discovery. Through interactions with diverse individuals, we gain new perspectives, broaden our horizons, and challenge our own beliefs and assumptions. These interactions spark personal growth, deepen our understanding of the world, and foster empathy and compassion.
- Supporting Physical Health
Social self-care has positive impacts on our physical health too. This is because engaging in social activities often involves movement, whether it’s taking a walk with a friend, participating in group exercises, or joining a sports team.
Moreover, social connections can influence and encourage healthy behaviors such as maintaining a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, and managing stress effectively.
I hope you find today’s topic interesting and motivating!
Always remember that in the pursuit of holistic well-being, social self-care is a vital component that should not be overlooked. Building and nurturing meaningful connections, investing in social activities, and seeking social support offer profound benefits for our emotional, mental, and physical well-being.
… and by embracing social self-care, we create a rich tapestry of support systems and personal growth opportunities that enrich every aspect of our lives.
Let’s cherish our relationships, explore new horizons, and spread kindness like confetti! Live a life filled with meaningful connections, laughter, and shared adventures.
What are you waiting for? Go and let your social self-care sparkle!
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