Social WellnessRecreation Nova Scotia Provincial Conference

Break out Session - November 19, 2010

Wellness

Wellness is not a neutral state; it is an ongoing active state to improve your life – intentionally shifting the shape of your lifeYou are constantly responding to the world around you every day – what if you did that with more conscious choice?Wellness dimensions: physical, emotional, social, spiritual and intellectual

Circles of Influence and Concern

Focus on Social Wellness

Social wellness is important to creating and maintaining a balanced and healthy lifestyleWhen you focus on your social wellness you not only feel better, you want to share that feeling with everyone you meetWhat you focus on grows

Benefits of Social Wellness

Socially well people: Are healthierDo better under stress Have higher levels of IgA, DHEA and lower levels of cortisol (the stress hormone)Better moods and higher self-esteem

Social Wellness

Two aspects:Being aware of, participating in and feeling connected to your communityDeveloping healthy relationships with those around you

Social Wellness - Community

Contributing to your physical environment to the common welfare of your communityInterdependence with others and with natureGreater awareness of your impact on your environment and those around you

Social Wellness - Relationships

Caring, healthy relationships in your lifeDeveloping and building close friendships and intimacyPracticing empathy and effective listeningCaring for others and the common goodAllowing others to care for you

Social Wellness Self AwarenessRead each statement carefullyRate each statement:o 2 = Almost Alwayso 1 = Sometimes/Occasionallyo 0 = Very Seldom

Total your score:o 15-20 pts – Excellent strengtho 9-14 pts – Room for improvemento 0-8 pts – Needs a lot of work

Social Wellness Self Awareness

1. I have a supportive network of close friends, family and social contacts.2. I am interested in, and accepting of others, including those from different backgrounds than my own.3. I support and help with family, neighborhood, and/or work social gatherings.4. I am able to balance my own needs with the needs of others.5. I am aware of and able to set and respect my own and others’ boundaries.

Social Wellness Self Awareness

6. I am a compassionate person and try to help others when I can.7. I am willing to seek help from others.8. I am able to resolve conflicts in all areas of my life.9. I contribute time and/or money to social and community projects.10. I am committed to a lifetime of volunteerism.

Exercise – A Practice in Social Wellness

Find a partnerOne person will speak for 7 minutes, the other will ask questions and listenWhen all the questions are asked, the listener will offer one or two reflections back to their partner

Switch roles and repeat for 7 minutes

Exercise – A Practice in Social Wellness

Choose a statement to reflect on – one that gets a reaction from youWhat is it about this statement that most has your attention and why?How could you see yourself growing this aspect of who you are?What new insight or awareness have you gained about this aspect in your life?

(When you’ve responded to all the questions, your partner can provide a reflection/observation)

To improve Social Wellness

Explore where you live – visit one new place each monthTalk to someone new, initiate a conversation with someone you don’t know or only met brieflyRespect others’ points of view, doesn’t mean you have to agree with them

To Improve Social Wellness

Believe in yourselfPractice self-disclosureKnow what you need and pursue people and things that nurture those needsConnect often with people who are supportive in your lifeGive tender loving care to somebody in need

To Really Rock Social Wellness

Take part in an activity that interests you or,

better yet, one you are passionate about

Shifting Into Your Circle of Influence

You can make willful choices to enhance:Personal relationshipsImportant friendshipsYour communityThe environment

What one choice are you going to make as you leave here today?

To Shift the Shape of Your Social Wellness

Learn from the past

Plan for the future

Live in the present

Social Wellness

Shifting the Shape of your community(s) and your relationships with consciousness and

intentionality