IS YOUR SOCIAL WELLBEING THRIVING?

We learned from last week that Career Wellbeing is the most essential of the 5 ingredients to Wellbeing.  So how’s it going?

Are you using your Strengths everyday?
Are you spending time with people who share a common life purpose?
Are you enjoying the time you're spending with your social networks?

While Gallup has recognized that Career Wellbeing is most essential we still have 4 other ingredients to explore so the show must go on!

Today we’re going to talk about the second ingredient: Social Wellbeing.

If you think about memorable times in your life whether it be an event, an accomplishment, a project, or an experience they likely have one thing in common: the presence of another person.

Gallup research found that people often underestimate the impact of our closest relationships and social connections.  They also discovered that people with THRIVING Social Wellbing get at least 6 hours of daily social time.  While at first glance you might think that’s a lot! Keep in mind this 6 hours includes time at work, on the telephone, sending emails, talking with friends and other forms of communication.

Let’s put your Social Wellbeing to the test.  Answer these questions honestly:

1.  Do you have three to four close friendships?
2.  Is your social network a group of people who have a positive and happy outlook on life?
3.  Do you have a “best friend” at work?

These questions may seem random but let me tie them all together for you…

Gallup found that individuals with three to four close relationships are healthier, have higher wellbeing, and are more engaged in their jobs.  These people have direct and indirect social contact with people who have a positive outlooks on life which dramatically boosts their chances of being happy themselves.  In addition, those that have a best friend at work are seven times as likely to report being engaged in their jobs, are better at engaging customers, produce higher quality of work, have higher wellbeing and less likely to be injured on the job.

When we spend time with happy, healthy, and productive people it in turn has an effect on our Social Wellbing.  The result of spending at least 6 hours a day participating in social time can have the following effects:

·  Increasing our wellbeing
·  Minimizing stress
·  Decreasing the odds of having a bad day

If you feel like your Social Wellbeing needs a boost, here are some suggestions:

1.  Spend 6 hours a day socializing with friends, family, and colleagues.
2.  Strengthen the mutual connections in your network.
3.  Mix social time with physical activity.  For example, taking a walk with your friend can motivate           one another to stay healthy.

Haven't taken the StrengthsFinder assessment yet?!  Click here! 

Want to buy the book Wellbeing?  Click here!

If you're curious of where you rank in your wellbeing, take the Gallup Wellbeing Finder:  Click here!

                                                        reCreate's Strengths Mission
For strengths to come alive, we must have the opportunity to use them everyday and make them personal.  We showcase our friends, family, clients and anyone who dares to show us the personal side to what strengths mean to them. These post are meant to encourage, inspire and connect you to having a life well-lived in strengths.  

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