Social Wellness
Recreation Nova Scotia Provincial Conference
Break out Session - November 19, 2010
Wellness
Wellness is not a neutral state; it is an ongoing
active state to improve your life – intentionally
shifting the shape of your life
You are constantly responding to the world
around you every day – what if you did that
with more conscious choice?
Wellness dimensions: physical, emotional,
social, spiritual and intellectual
Circles of Influence and Concern
Focus on Social Wellness
Social wellness is important to creating and
maintaining a balanced and healthy lifestyle
When you focus on your social wellness you
not only feel better, you want to share that
feeling with everyone you meet
What you focus on grows
Benefits of Social Wellness
Socially well people:
Are healthier
Do better under stress
Have higher levels of IgA, DHEA and lower
levels of cortisol (the stress hormone)
Better moods and higher self-esteem
Social Wellness
Two aspects:
Being aware of,
participating in and
feeling connected to
your community
Developing healthy
relationships with those
around you
Social Wellness - Community
Contributing to your physical environment to
the common welfare of your community
Interdependence with others and with nature
Greater awareness of your impact on your
environment and those around you
Social Wellness - Relationships
Caring, healthy relationships in your life
Developing and building close friendships and
intimacy
Practicing empathy and effective listening
Caring for others and the common good
Allowing others to care for you
Social Wellness Self Awareness
Read each statement carefully
Rate each statement:
o 2 = Almost Always
o 1 = Sometimes/Occasionally
o 0 = Very Seldom
Total your score:
o 15-20 pts – Excellent strength
o 9-14 pts – Room for improvement
o 0-8 pts – Needs a lot of work
Social Wellness Self Awareness
1. I have a supportive network of close friends, family
and social contacts.
2. I am interested in, and accepting of others, including
those from different backgrounds than my own.
3. I support and help with family, neighborhood, and/or
work social gatherings.
4. I am able to balance my own needs with the needs of
others.
5. I am aware of and able to set and respect my own and
others’ boundaries.
Social Wellness Self Awareness
6. I am a compassionate person and try to help
others when I can.
7. I am willing to seek help from others.
8. I am able to resolve conflicts in all areas of my
life.
9. I contribute time and/or money to social and
community projects.
10. I am committed to a lifetime of volunteerism.
Exercise – A Practice in Social Wellness
Find a partner
One person will speak for 7 minutes,
the other will ask questions and listen
When all the questions are asked, the
listener will offer one or two
reflections back to their partner
Switch roles and repeat for 7 minutes
Exercise – A Practice in Social Wellness
Choose a statement to reflect on – one that gets a
reaction from you
What is it about this statement that most has your
attention and why?
How could you see yourself growing this aspect of
who you are?
What new insight or awareness have you gained
about this aspect in your life?
(When you’ve responded to all the questions, your partner can
provide a reflection/observation)
To improve Social Wellness
Explore where you live – visit one new place
each month
Talk to someone new, initiate a conversation
with someone you don’t know or only met
briefly
Respect others’ points of view, doesn’t mean
you have to agree with them
To Improve Social Wellness
Believe in yourself
Practice self-disclosure
Know what you need and pursue people and
things that nurture those needs
Connect often with people who are
supportive in your life
Give tender loving care to somebody in need
To Really Rock Social Wellness
Take part in an activity that
interests you or,
better yet,
one you are passionate
about
Shifting Into Your Circle of Influence
You can make willful choices to enhance:
Personal relationships
Important friendships
Your community
The environment
What one choice are you going to make as you
leave here today?
To Shift the Shape of Your Social Wellness
Learn from
the past
Plan for the
future
Live in the
present
Social Wellness
Shifting the Shape
of your community(s)
and your relationships
with consciousness and
intentionality