Why is Social Wellness Important?

Our relationships can offer support during difficult times. Social wellness involves building healthy, nurturing, and supportive relationships as well as fostering a genuine connection with those around you. Conscious actions are important in learning how to balance your social life with your academic and professional lives. Social wellness also includes balancing the unique needs of romantic relationships with other parts of your life.

---

Why is Social Wellness Important?

Maintaining an optimal level of social wellness allows you to build healthy relationships with others. Having a supportive social network allows you to develop assertive skills and become comfortable with who you are in social situations. Surrounding yourself with a positive social network increases your self-esteem. Social wellness enables you to create boundaries that encourage communication, trust, and conflict management. Having good social wellness is critical to building emotional resilience.

The Route to Social Wellness

As you begin your journey to social wellness, you will discover that you have the power to enhance your personal relationships. Maintaining social wellness allows you to practice empathy and active listening. There are many ways you can begin your journey to social wellness.

Below are some suggestions on how to enhance your social wellness.

• Reflect on yourself and your social needs. What aspects of your social life do you enjoy? What parts would you like to improve?
• Make an effort to keep in touch with supportive friends and family.
• Practice self-disclosure.
• Participate in group discussions and practice active listening.
• Join a club or organization.

---

Tips to help Mavericks with Social Wellness

1. Get involved in the UNO community
   You can Get Involved in different school-affiliated organizations and participate in community service events with others. Volunteer opportunities with the Office of Civic and Social Responsibility

2. Participate in group fitness classes
   You can join in with other students at the Campus Recreation Center for group fitness classes; also you can join club sports and intramural sports at the university. Visit their website for all information about fitness classes, club sports, and intramural sports.

3. Participate in social events or gatherings

   • Visit Engage to find unique opportunities and events

4. Establish and maintain personal friendships
   Find friends that share common interests and goals as you. You can maintain friendships by calling and checking in on your friend every once in a while. You can also join organizations like Omaha GREEKS to find lifelong friends.

---

Everyday Thoughts and Practices

• Begin every day with a smile, an 8oz glass of water, stretching, and dressing comfortably for a 10-minute walk-to start and add 5 minutes until you reach at least 20 minutes before breakfast.
• Have a light nutritious breakfast every day
• Be conscious of your posture sitting at your desk
• Stand, stretch and take a short walk every hour
• Watch your posture, stretch your shoulders back, touch your right ear to your right shoulder, then switch to left ear to left shoulder
• Drink several 8oz glasses of water a day
• Avoid sugar drinks
• Avoid fast foods
• Read food labels
• Consider an investment in an Instant Pot or slow cooker for make-ahead healthy meals
• Map the parks within a mile of home or work. Schedule a walk into your week from home to the park or work to the park. Rotate your parks. Observe the changes in nature, foliage, animals, etc.