You are not alone!!

How can you improve your social wellness?

Although the implications of loneliness are disheartening, you can take steps to improve your social wellness. Here are a few ways to enhance your relationships with others and connect to your people:

• Disconnect to connect. Although technology has many positives, it also can be a barrier to connecting with others at home and work. Make it a regular routine to disconnect from technology every day to spend time in face-to-face communication with family members and professional colleagues. This video illustrates the point.
• Improve your communication skills. Communicate in person whenever possible. Learn to use “I” statements, such as “I need to talk to you,” instead of “you” statements such as, “You don’t listen.” Consider taking a class in communication skills if you believe yours need some improvement.
• Be positive. When you have a positive outlook, other people will enjoy being with you—and you’ll enjoy yourself. Put disappointments, complaints, and worries aside for a while and enjoy the present.
• Evaluate your emotional intelligence. Are you sensitive to others’ emotions? If not, you may be missing signals they’re giving you about what they need from you as a friend or family member. Take an interpersonal skills test to find out areas where you can improve. You can access a free interpersonal skills test.
• Celebrate and compliment your family and friends. Take time to bolster your family members and friends with a call or socially distant visit. Don’t wait for birthdays to celebrate; it’s always a good time to send a card. Make a regular habit of complimenting and thanking people when it’s deserved. The book How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie has some great suggestions.
• Smile and learn people’s names. There is great value in smiling and remembering people by their first name. Dale Carnegie once said, “A person’s name is to him or her the sweetest and most important sound in any language.” When you use someone’s name, you show respect and attention to what matters to them. Don’t be afraid to ask someone with a difficult-sounding name how to pronounce it.
• Build a culture of respect. When you model respect for others who may be different from you, you gain respect in return. Studies show that successful couples name respect as the most important part of their relationship, valuing it even higher than communication. If you’re married or in a committed relationship, show your partner loving respect.
• Make an action plan. When you make a plan to connect with others and put it in your calendar, you’re more likely to follow through. Don’t just wait for it to happen; you can be proactive about your social wellness.