You probably have a decent idea of what kind of shape you are in physically.
But how healthy are you socially?
Social fitness reflects the quality of your relationships and how often you connect with others in a meaningful way.
As it turns out, how socially fit you are has a tremendous impact on the life satisfaction you experience.
In the longest-known examination of adult development, Harvard University has tracked the lives of 724 people since 1938. The study, which now includes some descendants of the original group, focuses on the decisions, choices, and activities of the participants and their connection to well-being.
By far the strongest predictor of health and happiness was the quality and strengths of a person’s relationships.
Socially healthy people intentionally maintain deep and meaningful personal relationships with more than a handful of people. More diverse social connections have consistently been shown to predict higher well-being on multiple dimensions.
Author Kasley Killam has turned this finding into a practical model she calls the 5-3-1 rule.
She believes the rule offers a workout plan for social health and fitness. According to Killam, the best way to achieve social fitness is to follow this recipe.
5: Spend time with five different people each week. These could be neighbors, colleagues, old friends, or new acquaintances. Connecting with and learning more about them is how to create meaningful interaction.
These don’t have to be people you don’t know or know very well, but the more diverse this group, the better. Create a mix of new and old relationships to explore each week.
3: Nurture three close relationships every day. These are the friends you depend upon for support and enjoyment.
Stay in close contact throughout the day. Make plans, share what’s going on, and validate each other’s views and feelings.
Don’t wait for the weekend to maintain these important friendships. Make contact with them every day.
1: Strive for one hour of quality interaction each day. Conversation is how relationships get done. Take the time to engage in meaningful conversation for at least one hour each day.
This doesn’t have to be one long conversation. This could occur with multiple people in much shorter periods.
Social wellness is an often overlooked quality in daily life. By becoming more socially fit, people become happier, healthier, and even live longer.
The 5-3-1 rule offers a simple and practical guide for connecting more fully with ourselves and others.
Personal relationships outside of the family take work, discipline, and commitment, but will make your life more complete if you let them.
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