The Tie Between Our Social Environment and Mental Health
Human beings crave social connection and gravitate toward relationships. Have you ever thought about how your social environment contributes to your mood? The relationships we maintain, communities we engage with, news we read about, and even workplace culture all influence emotional wellbeing. If we want to feel good about our lives, it’s our responsibility to surround ourselves with uplifting things and seek out resources—like therapy—when we need them. In the end, our mental health is in our hands.
Giving Yourself the Right Environment to Thrive
So, you aspire to be a happy, well-adjusted individual. Perhaps start here:
Building Positive Social Connections
Surround yourself with what makes you feel good. Having supportive relationships protects against depression and anxiety, so that’s a good place to focus on. Friends and family provide encouragement during stressful times and give you people to lean on.
Removing Negative Influences
Address whatever causes unnecessary stress. A toxic workplace, strained family dynamics, or social isolation are all issues that can be solved. Perhaps spending too much time on social media is causing you to focus on negative things instead of what’s going well. Over time, these factors raise the risk of developing mental health disorders.
Actionable Steps You Can Take
This won’t happen overnight, but try to:
Build supportive networks through friends, family, or community groups
Limit exposure to toxic environments when possible
Seek therapy if social stressors begin to feel overwhelming
By understanding the impact of your social environment, you can take proactive steps toward building a healthier life.
Get Started Here
If you could use a little guidance as you work on your ideal environment, our team is always available! We provide individual therapy for a range of issues, including life transitions and personal growth. Book a session today to get personalized support in building the kind of life you want and taking stock of your environment. Take a look at our Team and reach out to us today.
