Here’s Why You Should Practice Social Self-Care
That feeling when you’re thrust into a social situation but your social meter ran out…
How do you characterize yourself? Are you an extrovert who thrives in social situations? Does that seem overwhelming to you? (All my introverts stand up!) Actually, are you both?! (Check out this article to learn about the different “personality” types; there’s more than just extroverts and introverts)
I jokingly said “all my introverts stand up” because I’m an introvert at heart. Social situations are daunting and exhausting for me when I don’t know the people involved. (If I know you, then I won’t shut up.) When you take a step back and look at all of the advice online, it feels like a lot of the social self-care advice is geared toward introverts. I see a lot of people talking about how important it is to take breaks from social situations and more in order to practice social self-care.
Social self-care is so much more than just stepping away from social situations.
Regardless of how you characterize yourself, social self-care is important for us all, not just introverts. Let’s talk about why you should practice social self-care.
What is social self-care?
Simply put, social self-care includes the habits and activities that help you nurture healthy relationships with others, set boundaries, and engage in activities that promote connection and community. When you consider this definition for a minute, you’ll realize that social self-care is so much more than just “taking breaks.”
Why is social self-care important?
Connection.
Social self-care is important because it helps us foster healthy connections, whether that’s establishing boundaries or reaching out to the community.
As human beings, we are wired for connection. Social self-care helps us cultivate healthy relationships, which can provide support during difficult times and enhance our overall well-being. By taking care of our social health, we can also reduce stress and improve our mental health.
To be honest, this reason used to be tough for me. As an introvert, I prided myself on being alone at times (although I know realize that the feeling was likely a trauma response, let’s be real). But as a wise person I know always says, we are meant to be in community with others. We are meant to have people in our lives that we can call on for the good and the bad.
Examples of Social Self-Care
The best social self-care practices will depend on your personality, personal self-care goals, and what’s going on in your life. For example, what you need during your more introverted moments might differ from what you need when you’re feeling like a social butterfly. You might be shy around strangers in a professional setting but thrive around strangers you meet when going out on the weekend.
Here are some examples to consider:
Attend a social event that aligns with your interests
Schedule regular phone or video calls with friends or family members
Volunteer for a cause you care about
Join a group or club that aligns with your hobbies or passions
Attend a networking event to meet new people professionally
Host a dinner party or potluck with friends
Take a class or workshop to learn a new skill and meet new people
Attend a community event, such as a concert or festival
Journal/go to therapy to think about the “health” of your relationships
The possibilities are endless, and the key is to find activities that align with your interests and values. So here are some categories depending on the two general categories (introverts and extroverts):
Social Self-Care for the Introvert
If you’re an introvert, you may find it challenging to engage in social situations. However, cultivating connections and engaging in social self-care can still be beneficial for mental/emotional health and well-being.
Boundaries
All my introverts know we need BOUNDARIES. For example, if I’m invited out somewhere, I need to know who’s all going.
Setting boundaries is important for introverts. Know your limits and communicate them to others. Boundary setting can include saying “no” to social events when you need downtime or setting limits on the amount of time you spend with others.
Know Yourself
Be real with yourself. Understanding your personality and needs is essential for social self-care. Take some time to reflect on what social activities or events align with your personality and values. This can help you make decisions about which events to attend and which ones to skip.
Challenge Yourself
Get over yourself (lol). Stepping outside of your comfort zone can be challenging for introverts, but it can also be rewarding. Try attending a social event that aligns with your interests or joining a group or club that aligns with your hobbies or passions. You may be surprised at how much you enjoy it…
Social Self-Care for the Extrovert
If you’re an extrovert, you may find yourself constantly seeking out social situations to recharge. However, it’s essential to engage in social self-care practices that align with your needs and values.
Making the Right Connections
As an extrovert, you may be drawn to social situations, but it’s important to focus on making the right connections. This can include attending networking events or socializing with people who align with your personal or professional goals.
Recharging
While extroverts may thrive on social interactions, it’s important to take breaks to recharge. This can include spending time alone or engaging in activities that promote relaxation and self-care.
You need social self-care…
If you haven’t realized by now, whether you’re an introvert, extrovert, or both, it doesn’t matter. Like other areas of self-care, such as financial or physical, social self-care might look different from one person to the next.
Either way, social self-care is essential for us all, regardless of our personality types. By nurturing healthy relationships, setting boundaries, and engaging in activities that promote community and connection, we can reduce stress, improve our mental health, and enhance our overall well-being.