Social Wellness in a Post-Pandemic World

What does social wellness mean, and what does it look like as things transition from social distancing to social re-integration?

As things start to open after a year-and-a-half of quarantine, our place in the social landscape will alter along with it. There is a lot socially that we have to reconsider and some things that were “normal” pre-pandemic have shifted or been abandoned. 

As we make sense of our time in quarantine and prepare for reemergence, our individual and collective understanding of social wellness is more important than ever.

“Social Wellness” embodies many aspects of our interactions with others, and often reflects our perception of belonging and how we feel connected to those around us. 

Social Isolation

 The negative effects of social isolation will probably still affect our interpersonal dynamics for years to come. We had to let go of our daily routines, which not only encompassed the way we work, went to school, or gathered in the community. It interrupted our ways of expressing our intimacy with partners, our friendships, and our connections to our families. 

Our healthy outlets and ways of coping had to be reimagined, and how we communicate with one another was often limited to technology. Due to an unprecedented amount of uncertainty and instability, there might have been maladaptive or unhealthy habits developed during moments of stress. This also correlates to a steep increase in domestic violence, abuse, and addiction during quarantine. 

Social Reintegration

As businesses and public spaces start to open and safety protocols are revised, we are once again learning to let go of social norms and expectations that took many months for us to adapt to. Some might get to choose if they can still work from home, while others might not have the option to. Having to suddenly return to a workplace could be stressful if work styles or operating procedures shifted during quarantine. not to mention having to recalibrate to seeing coworkers again. 

For many people, getting used to a face mask was challenging, whereas others might have been comforted by a sense of safety or anonymity. Removing a mask and returning to social gatherings can trigger social anxiety and internalized trauma triggers that might have been experienced during COVID. As we are being seen in public more, there could be changes to physical appearance or weight that could feel exposing. 

Coping and Communication

For many people, quarantine allowed for reflection and introspection of their own social wellness. This might have included their preferences in communication styles, if certain relationships work or not, boundaries that might have been lacking, or obligations they might not feel served by. 

Quarantine allowed us the ability to slow down and reimagine new and creative ways to better attend to our needs. That might not have happened for some yet, but now can be an opportune time to do so. As things are still being figured out socially, we have a unique chance to implement better ways of coping, interacting with others, and reserving our energy for the things that matter to us. We can find ways of dealing with stress that are less harmful and replace them with ones that allow us to function more optimally. 

How to Improve Social Wellness

 One of the ways we can establish social wellness for ourselves is by taking things at a pace that is better tailored to our unique personalities and comfort levels. The outlets and ways of connecting that might work for some might not always be possible or attainable for others. It is about being kind to ourselves and acknowledging that it is a difficult time for everyone, no matter what might be said or portrayed on social media. 

We can start to integrate small steps and venture into social spaces using a technique called “exposure,” which is about doing something new that might challenge a fear we have in a small or subtle way. As we build up our emotional tolerance, it might not seem as impossible or as intimidating. This can also drastically differ for each person. One example of exposure could be attempting realistic ways of asking for help or sharing a positive thought (such as a compliment). 

We can also practice saying “no.” This can be challenging to implement but can also be very empowering to begin to practice. Another part of this is working on verbalizing our needs to one another, and letting people know directly what things could improve the relationship. This might also be letting go of the relationship completely, which can also be scary to initiate. Social wellness is not just about what helps us function better with others, it is also about recognizing what is hurtful or dysfunctional to us. Part of social wellness is personal wellness, because with our own individual wellness, we can enjoy our social interactions more fully. 

 Treatment Options to Address Social Wellness

All the strategies mentioned above are not necessarily easy to integrate and might benefit from additional support from a mental health professional. As in-person therapy or support groups start to open, telehealth (or therapy via video) is an option that might help some with the transition to social integration. Others might prefer telehealth even after things open, and that is okay too. 

 The most important thing is to take steps toward personal and social wellness in a way that works best for you. bareWell can help with this, so reach out to us if there is an aspect of wellness that you are wanting more assistance with.