Social Selfcare

Social self-care involves our connections with other people.
Between work and family you may think you have lots of social contact, but in our busy lives it can become hard to make time for friends and easy to neglect your relationships.

Humans are social beings, which means we need regular connection with others to thrive (yes, even introverts!).
That’s why prioritising social self-care—or activities that nurture our relationships with others—is critical.

The problem is, oftentimes when our lives get hectic and overwhelming (and we’d most benefit from Facetime with others), we tend to cancel our plans and withdraw. While of course we all need to just say “no” sometimes, it’s also extremely important to make time for social interaction. This has become especially pronounced over the last couple years, as more schools and offices are going remote.

If you’re living alone, or thrive off the energy of in-person communication, you may be requiring some extra social self-care as of late.
Remember that socialising with others, even when you’re busy with life, is not a privilege–it’s a necessity!

While social self-care often means spending time with other people, it can also mean the opposite. Give some thought to which relationships are no longer serving you in your life. If there’s anyone you find draining to be around (a friend or family member), it may be time to part ways. Your relationships should uplift and fulfil you, not deflate and drain you.

How Membership Can Help

Top Tips For Improving Social Selfcare

1. Set Boundaries

   The key to social self-care is finding the balance. It’s important to prioritise our relationships, but we also don’t want to spread ourselves too thin. It’s okay to focus on just ourselves when we need to take a break. You can decide for yourself what a good balance will look like between time for personal self-care and social interactions. 

2. Practice Reaching Out to Others

   Maintaining social relationships takes time and effort, from both sides. While it’s great to be the one saying yes to social invitations, it’s also good to take initiative to reach out to others too. Being proactive about making plans will show that you care about your relationships and that you are prioritising them within the rest of your life. It’s also important to be mindful of who you reach out to. Put time into relationships that recharge you, add value to your life, and leave you feeling fulfilled.

3. Focus on Quality Time

   Having surface-level interactions with others is not the same as social self-care. It’s more than just having brief meetings with people. These relationships are meant to be a part of your self-care, so they should be dynamics that make you feel good. Enjoying the act of socialising, with meaningful conversations and activities, means that you are getting the quality time you need within those friendships.

4. Get Creative

   There are many different ways that you can feel recharged and content through your social relationships. You can get creative with how you spend your time with the people you’re close with. Incorporate your hobbies into you social interactions. For example, if you like to read, you could start a book club; if you like to cook, you could make dinners together; or if you like to exercise, you could go on walks or hikes with friends. The activities that you already enjoy as a part of your self-care can easily be shared with others too.

5. Call A Close Friend
   With or without video, there’s nothing like having a good chat with a trusted and supportive friend to feel refreshed, uplifted, and supported.

6. Meet Up For A Walk & Talk
   Connect emotionally and stay active at the same time with a friend or family member (great for your physical self-care).

7. Join An Online Support Group
   Sometimes, having others who can relate to your struggles and triumphs as a caregiver can be a great support system. They understand what you’re going through and you can share experiences to learn from each other about how to navigate caregiver responsibilities.

8. Group Activities
   When you just need to take your mind off things, doing something fun and playful can help as a stress-reliever. You can play online games, go on a virtual tour, or meet up for a fitness or hobby class together. The possibilities are endless!

9. Pets
   Our pets can be a great source of healing and support when we’re feeling down or just want to have fun. They’re always there to listen and be present when you need a cuddle. Seek your pet(s) out on purpose, spend some quality time together, and savour the feelings you experience.