Social Relationships Improve Health

 
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Social Relationships Improve Health
A. Williams
Cornerstone University
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Social Relationships Improve Health
Social integration is defined as participation in a broad range of social relationships (Brisette, Cohen, & Seeman, 2000). This can promote better self-worth, greater purpose and a positive identity that induces health promoting responses. People with an increased number of social relationships have a social connectedness to more family, friends and community. These social relationships improve health that results in more happiness, better emotional stability and longer lives.
Within any relationship, there is communication. Effective communication helps build strong connections with others and those connections build social relationships. We need to feel supported and valued by our family and friends.   People gain a sense of identity, belonging and security from being valued. Our value is to understand that we are worthy of being loved and accepted. From youth to adulthood, this self-esteem we gather comes from others telling us we have done a great job. As we build up an inventory of achievements, our self-esteem also grows. The relationships we have with our parents, friends, co-workers and community members are dependent on that growth and vital to our social connectedness.
According to the founding father of positive psychology, Martin Seligman, "a happy life is one that is pleasurable, engaging, and meaningful. And the more engaging and meaningful, the better" (2002). Seligman suggests that people who focus their energies on leading an engaged and meaningful life are more successful at achieving lifelong happiness than those who focus on the temporary pleasures. As we choose to engage more with others, we begin to do so with those we enjoy and our connections grow.   Our attitudes and behaviors are direct responses to our environment so we amplify... [continues]

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