Let’s talk about something that affects every single one of us: social wellbeing (also known as social health).
No, we’re not just talking about having a chat by the office coffee machine (though that definitely counts!). Social wellbeing is about the meaningful connections we build both in and out of work, whether we feel that we belong, and how stable we feel within our social circles.
In this article, we will discuss what social wellbeing is, why it is so important, and how you can ensure the social wellbeing of your team.
What is Social Wellbeing?
A person who has good social wellbeing may look like someone who can create and maintain various positive, reciprocal relationships with the people around them. This could be with family, friends, romantic partners, mentors, and other people in their lives.
Essentially, a person’s social wellbeing is a measure of how connected they feel to their communities and the people in their lives.
Furthermore, social health can be analysed on an individual scale (say, looking at the strength of one person’s connections and relationships) and also on a much wider scale, for example, by looking at the social wellbeing of a team of people in a work environment or even a whole society under a specific government.
The Impact of Social Connections In The Workplace
Strong workplace relationships aren’t just about having someone to share memes with (though that’s a bonus). Research shows that positive social connections at work lead to:
- More individual and organisational success
- Increased productivity
- Better mental health
- Lower stress levels
- Enhanced career opportunities
Think about it – we spend roughly a third of our lives at work. Shouldn’t we make those relationships count?
Common Challenges to Social Wellbeing
Now that we’ve established what social wellbeing is and how great it is…what’s getting in the way of ensuring that every person and team can experience good social wellbeing?
One problem is that social wellbeing is often not focused on quite as much as physical or mental wellbeing.
And of course, these are incredibly important. Getting enough sleep, eating well, and making sure you get enough exercise are staples in a healthy lifestyle. Everyone understands and accepts this to be true.
Human connection often does not receive the same weight. Of course, we all know that having friends and good relationships with the people around us is good. But how many workplaces can say that they not only understand the health benefits of good relationships but also actively and genuinely do their best to help their teams build the connections they need to experience good social wellbeing?
Another challenge that has actually benefited employees is remote and hybrid work.
While remote work has brought about a lot of good, it has had the unintentional side effect of creating more isolation amongst some teams, particularly in companies that haven’t yet figured out a way to create virtual opportunities for connection among remote and hybrid workers.
How Can We Improve Social Health In The Workplace?
Effective communication stands at the heart of better workplace relationships. This means practising active listening, showing genuine interest in colleagues’ lives without overstepping, and being clear and considerate in all communications.
Team building activities should focus on fostering genuine connections while making space for both introverts and extroverts. The key is creating opportunities for shared experiences that feel natural and meaningful, not forced or awkward.
When it comes to practical actions, consider implementing regular team lunches or coffee breaks, walking meetings (good for both body and mind!), and social events – particularly events that don’t revolve exclusively around drinking so that your sober team members can get in on the fun.
For remote teams, online game sessions, virtual coffee chats, and digital skill-sharing workshops can help bridge the distance gap.
Remember, improving social wellbeing isn’t about forcing friendship, it’s about creating an environment where meaningful connections can flourish naturally.
Conclusion
Social health is essential for both individual and organisational success. More than that, it is essential for both individual and organisational happiness.
No matter what tools you provide your teams to increase productivity and output, you won’t see genuine improvement until those teams are happy.
Human connection is a huge factor in the quality of our lives, and the sooner that is implemented into your workplace’s wellbeing strategy, the sooner you’ll begin to build a truly happy, engaged, and successful team.