If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor.
If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
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Social Support vs.
Integration
So, which aspects of our social environments are so vital to health?
And how exactly do our social environments impact our overall well-being?
There are two essential aspects of our social worlds that contribute to health: social support and social integration.
Three of the main types of social support are emotional support, instrumental support, and informational support.
Emotional Support
Sometimes the people in your life provide emotional support.
This throw in of support can be particularly important during times of stress or when people are feelinglonely.
Instrumental Support
In other cases, the people in your social internet might provide instrumental support.
They take care of your physical needs and offer a helping hand when you need it.
Such support is important when people have immediate needs that must be addressed.
Such support can be important when making decisions or making big changes in one’s life.
As you might imagine, people in your social networks may take on different roles.
A teacher might provide informational support, while a parent might provide all three types.
However, group pressure and support can also lead people to engage in healthy behaviors as well.
If your social connections do not support you, it can make success much more difficult.
If your friends and family offer support and encouragement, you may find achieving your goal much more possible.
Coping With Stress
Social support also helps people to cope with stress.
Stress has been shown to have serious health consequences ranging from reduced immunity to increased risk of heart disease.
Improves Motivation
Social relationships can also help people tostay motivatedwhen trying to achieve their goals.
It could greatly improve the quality of your life.
And if you’re struggling to make friends or keep them, you might reach out to a therapist.
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