In the world of mental health and holistic well-being, self-care is likely the most well-known buzzword. Whether it’s warm baths, meditating, or unplugging from technology, commonly suggested self-care routines are generally activities you do alone to “disconnect” or “reconnect with yourself”. While these practices may be important for emotional regulation and mental rejuvenation, it’s only one piece of the wellness puzzle. Another important aspect of holistic health is connection to others. This often-overlooked dimension of wellness is social wellness.
What Is Social Wellness?
Social wellness refers to the quality of our relationships and our ability to build meaningful connections with others. It includes how we interact with family, friends, coworkers, and our community—and how these interactions influence our sense of belonging and support.
While self-care focuses on the inward—our thoughts, habits, and individual well-being—social wellness focuses on the outward, emphasizing connection, empathy, communication, and social engagement.
Self-Care and Social Wellness: Complementary, Not Competing
Self-care practices are essential for maintaining personal mental health, especially when managing stress, anxiety, or feelings of social burnout. These solo strategies give us the space to regulate emotions and recharge.
But humans are inherently social beings. We’re wired for connection. And research shows that even the most refined self-care routine can’t replace the psychological benefits of feeling seen, heard, and supported by others.
In fact, strong social connections have been shown to:
- Reduce the risk of tension, excessive worry, a low mood, and apathy [1].
- Improve longevity [2]
- Enhance recovery from illness or trauma [3]
- Boost overall happiness and life satisfaction [2]
Self-care can help you fill your own cup, but social wellness reminds us to pass the cup, receive from others, and refill together.
The Clinical Evidence Supporting Social Wellness
The science is clear: social connection promotes mental and emotional health.
Researchers have found that strong social relationships are a predictor of longevity, regardless of age, sex, or health status [2]. Having “strong social relationships” is defined as connectivity to a network that is structurally and functionally diverse, and of high quality. Structural aspects of relationships are those formed through work, marriage, family, clubs, and other institutions. Functional aspects are the availability of reciprocal support, resources, and time spent together. The quality of relationships can be measured by satisfaction and pleasure gained outweighing conflict [2].
Lack of strong social relationships can lead to loneliness. Loneliness and social isolation are connected, but not synonymous. A person can be lonely and experience the mental and emotional consequences of loneliness, with social connections, if the functional and quality elements of those relationships are missing [1]. Specifically, loneliness due to lack of emotional support is associated with increased negativity, hopelessness, and even excessive tension and worry [1].
Social isolation can impact emotional well-being and mental sharpness, especially during times of stress, such as the pandemic lockdown period, old age, or immobility [4]. Loneliness and a lack of social support can activate the body’s stress response, raising cortisol, and disrupting sleep and mood-regulating hormones like serotonin and dopamine [4,5].
On the flip side, having supportive relationships promotes oxytocin release (the “bonding hormone”), lowers cortisol levels (the “stress hormone”), and helps regulate the nervous system [6]. In short, social wellness is not just nice to have—it’s essential for mental and emotional health.
How to Support Social Wellness (Even if You’re Introverted)
Fostering social wellness doesn’t mean you need a packed calendar or an extroverted personality. It means nurturing the relationships that matter and making space for connection in your life. Here are a few ways to build your social wellness:
- Schedule regular check-ins with loved ones
- Join a support group, hobby club, or volunteer organization
- Engage in active listening in your conversations
- Seek professional counseling or therapy if struggling with social anxiety
- Practice gratitude and express appreciation to people who support you
And remember: quality > quantity. One or two close, meaningful relationships can offer just as much (or more) benefit as a large network of acquaintances.
Nourishing Mental Wellness from All Angles
At MethylPro, we believe optimal mental health requires a multifaceted approach—including nutrient support. While social wellness and self-care create the external and internal conditions for emotional well-being, the biochemical foundation is just as important.
Our L-methylfolate supplements are designed to support healthy neurotransmitter production, especially in individuals with MTHFR genetic variations. Supporting your mood biochemically can help you feel more resilient, engaged, energetic, and open to social connection—making it easier to cultivate both self-care and social wellness.
Final Thoughts
Self-care is a powerful tool for individual healing, but social wellness is where healing expands into connection and community. Science shows that strong relationships are not just emotionally fulfilling—they’re vital for your mental and even physical health.
As you care for your own well-being, don’t forget to nurture your connections with others. In a world that often celebrates independence, remember that interdependence is where true resilience is born.
References
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0277953623007761
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0165032723002586
- https://jphasc.com/index.php/Journal/article/view/30
- https://www.nature.com/articles/s41562-022-01453-0
- https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12888-024-05609-2
- https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/10738584241293366