Social Connection and Belonging: Strengthening Relationships That Fuel Well-Being
Human beings are hardwired to connect. Our ability to build, nurture, and maintain our relationships can have a big impact on our ability to thrive. Connecting with others and feeling supported can yield big results on everything from our well-being and performance to our happiness and creativity — and help us navigate stress with more resilience.
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Explore the science of well-being and the connection between our physical and mental resilience
Listening is what allows us to understand, empathize, and build meaningful relationships with others.
Active listening, or deep listening, is at the heart of every thriving relationship. The term active listening, means that we, as listeners, are engaged members of a conversation — but we don’t do much speaking. Unlike a verbal listener, or someone who “listens to respond,” an active listener will ask questions when appropriate and maintain nonverbal involvement, like nodding their head or keeping eye contact.
The benefits of human connection extend to the workplace.
Research shows that forming friendly work relationships can also increase our happiness, foster a sense of community, and even impact job performance. People with work friends are seven times as likely to be engaged in their work, and they have higher levels of retention than those who don’t.
On the flip side, a lack of connection can have detrimental effects on our physical and mental health.
Studies show that loneliness is a risk factor for a range of mental and physical health issues, including heart disease and stroke, depression, and even increased mortality.
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Reflect:
Uncover limiting mindsets and replace them with growth-driven mindsets and positive beliefs that support the creation of new habits and sustainable behavior change
In isolating times, feeling a sense of connection and belonging is even more difficult — and more important. As unlikely as it may seem, even small moments of connection strengthen our well-being and can have a big impact. Experts call it “relational energy.” Simply by interacting with others, even if it's via Zoom or Facetime, we create a spark that fuels our emotional well-being, cognitive performance, and even our productivity.
Take Action With Microsteps:
Small, manageable actions you can adapt to your life in ways that work for you
Thrive Tip: Find an Accountability Partner
An accountability partner is someone who is with you every step of the way, offering support, celebrating successes, and talking through challenges. Reach out to a colleague, friend or family member and ask them to support you in this way — and offer to do the same for them. You can meet in person for lunch or coffee or check in with texts and phone calls. For example, if your goal is to check in regularly with a friend or family member you’ve lost touch with, and you do it, send your partner a quick text to let them know! And if you suspect your partner is struggling, send them an upbeat message of support.