3 Practical Ways to Achieve Social Wellness
1. Know Yourself
Of course, we all know ourselves. But do you really know yourself? What are your needs, your preferences, your values? If you’re not clear on these things, how can you communicate them to others? Knowing who you are, setting boundaries, and striving for personal growth can help you cultivate positive relationships with family and friends around you. It can also help you feel less threatened by people who are different than you.
2. Don’t Criticize and Blame
Every relationship consists of two people, so when something goes awry, it can be very easy to blame. Yourself or the other. Avoid this trap. Criticism and blame only perpetuate an unhealthy cycle, and can even lead to depression and anxiety. Instead, practice positive self-talk and speak positively about others. Try to give constructive criticism as opposed to destructive criticism.
3. Practice Self-Care
Self-care means doing things for yourself that will uplift you and make you feel good in the long-run. The last 4 words in the previous sentence are critical since if you’re not thinking in the long-run, you can do all sorts of things that are the opposite of self-care. Drinking too much, doing drugs, or hanging out with people who have a negative influence are all things that can feel good at the moment, but in the long-run, they can lead to self-destruction.
3 Practical Ways to Achieve Cultural Wellness
Cultural wellness includes recognizing where you come from and acknowledging how your background makes you perceive others. It also includes being open to people from different cultures.
1. Educate Yourself About Diversity
Every single person has his or her own story. We come from different families, backgrounds, cultures, and countries. In order to achieve acceptance, you first need to learn about diversity. Why is diversity a positive thing? What are some things you can learn from other cultures? From other groups? If you know someone who has a different background than you, take the time to learn about it.
2. Explore Different Perspectives
It’s easy to write someone off because they don’t look or act like you, but the more noble effort is to try to understand where that person is coming from. Try to view situations from a different perspective. This can help you resolve conflicts, compromise, and open yourself up to new thoughts and ideas.
3. Look For Growth Opportunities
When you’re not in your comfort zone, resist the urge to be scared. Rather, think of it as an opportunity. Being around people who are different can be an opportunity for growth, an opportunity to learn new things, expand your horizons, and perhaps discover some wonderful new friends.
Benefits of Achieving Social and Cultural Wellness
When we have good relationships and accept those around us, it can lead to good emotional health. In fact, it’s a cycle. The better your relationships and the more accepting you are, the better you feel. The better you feel, the better your relationships will be, and so on. When you are emotionally healthy, you don’t have anger or fear toward others who may be different. In short, both you and everyone around you benefits.
