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Overview: In this dimension we review how the quality of the relationships in your life impact your wellness. Balanced social wellness establishes and maintains connection to a healthy support system. When you are socially well, you can become a positive contributing factor in your community.

What it means to engage in your social wellness according to the National Wellness Institute:

- Taking time to have meaningful connections with others
- Doing something that gives you a sense of fulfillment

"Social wellness follows these tenets:
• It is better to contribute to the common welfare of our community than to think only of ourselves.
• It is better to live in harmony with others and our environment than to live in conflict with them."¹

When your social wellness is balanced you may experience:

- reduced isolation, improving your overall wellness.
- reduced mental health symptoms and increased physical wellness (when also managing the other dimensions of wellness)
- improved self-care
- a more satisfying college experience and likelihood of graduating

Common misunderstandings associated with Social Wellness:

Myth: The more friends I have, the better my social wellness will be.

Truth: Quality over quantity is the key to social wellness. Balanced social wellness comes from engaging in meaningful relationships. 1 healthy, supportive, available friend is more beneficial than 10 toxic friends.

Myth: If I did not make friends within the first few weeks of the semester, I am too late to make a connection.

Truth: Establishing quality relationships can take time. Give yourself an opportunity each day to be open to the possibility of a new connection forming.

Myth: I'm too shy to make friends.

Truth: Being shy, anxious around new people, or doubting yourself is more common than you might think! If you feel comfortable*, challenge yourself by saying, "Hello" to one person from your class or connect with a campus resource listed below to meet peers that share your interests.

*Being aware of your emotional wellness is critical for social wellness. If you are not in a good place with yourself, connecting with others may be more difficult. Seek support from The Counseling Center if you are unable to connect with your peer or have noticed a change in your social engagement. Click here to sign-up for a free initial appointment Monday-Friday from 8AM - 5PM

How can I attend to my Social Wellness?

- Identify at least one meaningful relationship in your life and connect with that person via a phone call, facetime, text message, or in-person.
- Review the campus resources listed below and join a direct or indirect service.
- Be aware of your social media consumption. It can provide a false sense of connection because you "see" people but you are not actually engaging in meaningful interactions with them.
- Reflect on your current relationships, if you have people in your life that cause you to feel drained or unwell, consider disconnecting from them. Completely un-follow toxic friends or influencers to reduce their impact on your overall wellness.
- Engage in your community through volunteer work, activism/lobbying for change, or join a club that promotes maintaining the environment around our campus.
- Connect with a Safe Zone Space if you are a member of the LGBTQ+ community on campus! Look for the rainbow certificates outside of office doors or connect with a known Safe Zone on campus (The Counseling Center, The Simmons Center, The Roger's Building, and more). If you are a student and wish to join the LGBTQ+ Allies on campus, go on engage to sign up for events, meetings, and get more info today: https://flsouthern.campuslabs.com/engage/organization/allies If you would like to attend a Safe Zone program please review The Counseling Center's engage page or canvas page for the available listings.

At Florida Southern College we offer numerous Campus Resources to balance your Social Wellness:

- Direct: The Simmons Multicultural Center,Florida Southern Scholars Experience , Campus Ministries, Center for Student Involvement
- Indirect: Hollis Wellness Center, Student Solutions Center, Campus Life, Arts and Culture

References

National Wellness Institute (Accessed 2023). Developing Strong People. https://nationalwellness.org https://nationalwellness.org/resources/