It’s no surprise that the military needs a strong mind and body to meet the demands of the mission. However, social form is also an important part of your health and well-being. The quality of your relationships with others can affect many areas of your life, from military performance to general health. Find out why healthy relationships are important to being up and running, and find tips to help you boost your current social networks.
Benefits of Healthy Social Connections
Social skills involve establishing and maintaining healthy social connections with others. Close relationships with family, friends, co-workers, and other members of the ministry are important. When you have healthy relationships, you are more likely to feel supported and better prepared to focus on your military duties.
Strong friendships are also good for overall health and can help:
- strengthen a sense of belonging, purpose
- promote healthy lifestyle
- provide support during difficult times
- prevent loneliness
- reduce stress
Tips to improve your the social status
Whether deployed (or) at the home and you rely on your social networks to help you cope with challenges of military life. However, as a member of the service, it can sometimes be difficult to establish or maintain your relationships. Try these tips to help you stay close to family, friends, and teammates.
Be available. Building strong the relationships takes time. Even with busy or conflicting schedules, it’s important to make time for relationships and connecting with others.
Stay in contact. Check with a family member, friend, co-worker, or other member of staff at least once a day. Write, call, video chat or use social media to stay in touch when you are far away.
Participate in social activities. Check your Spirituality, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) program to find interesting activities and meet new people. While deploying, try to spend some of your free time with others, even if it’s something as simple as playing catch-up.
Develop your communication the skills. Communicate clearly, confidently, controlled and respectfully. During conversations, practice effective communication strategies such as asking questions, showing empathy and actively listening to others.
Build up trust. Try to be honest and open in your dealings. To help your unit build trust within the group, find ways to play together, show sensitivity and work on defining group identity.
Show yourself to others. Watch out for your friends. If you see someone withdrawing, try to approach them and try to involve them in group activities.