What is Social Self-Care?

Self-care is our reliable game plan for sustaining ourselves and enabling growth. However, a significant function of self-care is improving not only the self but the way that we branch out into the world around us. This includes our place at work, a person passing on the street, and who we are in the dynamics with those who were lucky enough to have personal relationships with. This is the concept of social self-care.

Why Social Self-Care is Important

Relationships are work, and self-care can be at times as well. When you make an effort to shift energy into both of these things to improve, you’re fulfilling a part of life that is healthy and necessary. Our relationships are outlets for letting go and coping with our daily struggles, as well as regular and accessible opportunities to connect with others.

Socialization is the process of absorbing the culture around us and functioning efficiently within it. It prepares us to perform in our chosen social roles to establish meaning and value.

This connection can indeed occur organically, but it is also true that life tends to get busy. When we’re primed continuously to hit marks, make deadlines, and pay bills. One of the first things we’re willing to let go of is the effort we would pour into our relationships.

The secret to having time? Assigning its value in your life, and making room.

How to Incorporate Social Self-Care

Understanding the importance of social self-care is one thing, but introducing it as a discipline is another. Start by adding these concepts to your life today.

• Pick up the phone and call or video chat with your friends when possible. Use voice memos instead of typing long messages. Keeping in touch digitally is a great practice when seeing each other face to face isn’t an option.
• Put a stop to toxic relationships or those that make you feel negative.
• Be an equal amount of a “yes” and “no” person. Empower yourself to stand behind what you allow in relationships and do not to avoid losing unnecessary energy.
• Make standing appointments to get together with those you care about, and adjust them as needed.
• Don’t do things to be a people pleaser.
• Keep open communication with those you value where you’re safe to express that you’re only busy, as well as let them know that they are still a priority to you.

Social self-care can be just as important as any other type of self-care. Never underestimate the power of a stable relationship and your ability to maintain one. Make sure to give others what you give to yourself, but keep in mind as the renowned poet Rumi says: “Never give from the depths of your well but your overflow. “The key is finding balance in the give and take.