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Celebrate and nurture friendships, family and community! 

 

Ahhh July! Known for ‘The 4th of July’, ‘Family Reunion Month’, ‘National Grilling Month’, ‘Social Wellness Month’, ‘National Ice Cream Day’, and ‘International Friendship Day’! We gather together for parades, fireworks galore, outdoor barbecues with friends and family, we may throw a vacation in the mix and we plan, enjoy and survive family reunions! And, if you have kids, you find yourself transporting them back and forth to summer camps! Phew! That’s a lot packed into one month!

‘Social Wellness Month’ and ‘International Friendship Day’ caught my attention; not surprising to those who know me... so, of course I delved into the history and meaning a bit more!

Social Wellness refers to the relationships we have and how we interact with others. It means nurturing yourself as well as your relationships. Giving and receiving social support – building healthy and supportive relationships with your friends, family and others so that you and they can turn to each other in times of need or crisis or in times of acknowledgement with individual celebrations; giving and receiving. Social support can encompass three areas: 1) emotional – taking actions to help someone feel cared for, 2) Instrumental – providing physical resources or help such as meals, housekeeping, money, and 3) Informational – providing information to help someone, such as resources, support groups, etc.

Research shows people who have a strong social network:

  • tend to live longer versus those who experience loneliness and live in isolation
  • experience improved heart health and reduced blood pressure
  • have a healthier response during times of stress
  • have an enhanced immune system to ward off infectious diseases

Tips to grow your Social Network!

  1. Find a workout buddy to go for walks or participate in an exercise class.
  2. Take stock of your interests/hobbies and find others to join in with you such as book clubs, card games, hiking, painting, cooking classes, dance lessons, music groups, sports activities, etc.
  3. Find a cause you are passionate about and volunteer with an organization. 

https://friendshipday2018.com/international-friendship-day.html

International Friendship Day is an International holiday which has been celebrated annually on July 30th since 2011. It was created in the hopes that the fostering of friendship between different peoples, cultures, and countries will inspire peace throughout the world. The United Nations also wanted to create a day that taught the youth of today the importance of diversity and to promote understanding between different cultures. It is the perfect day for people to get together, have fun and remind themselves that the diversity of people from all over the world need not divide us but can bring us all together. Building bridges between communities! It’s also a great day to rekindle close personal relationships or just have a good time with friends. International Friendship Day and Social Wellness go hand in hand!

Nurturing our relationships with others helps build our social wellness, strengthens our community and builds bridges between communities!

  1. Reach out to someone you may have lost touch with – life gets busy – and pick up the phone!
  2. Throw a dinner party or progressive dinner in your neighborhood to get to know others you pass on the street but haven’t taken the time to get to know.
  3. Make an effort to learn about another’s way of life, belief system or language to foster communication and celebrate other’s traditions.
  4. Strike up a conversation with someone you don’t know – a new friendship might bloom as a result!
  5. Express your Gratitude for those you have supported you and are there for you when you need a listening ear. Send them a hand-written note, a card, flowers, or make a date for coffee or lunch or go out for ice-cream!
  6. Celebrate National Ice Cream Day with friends or family on July 21st! For more fun facts about the designated holiday, go to https://nationaltoday.com/national-ice-cream-day/

And for a heartwarming laugh... watch Winnie the Pooh! Fun fact: Winnie the Pooh was named Friendship Ambassador for the world in 1997 so re-connect and let loose your inner child and enjoy the fabulous cartoon, books or films as an adult. And if Winnie the Pooh isn’t quite your favorite character, Tigger is always there to bring forth a good belly laugh!

Disneyclips.com

 

Interested in exploring further positive steps to build and nurture your relationship with yourself and others? Click HERE to download 6 Proven Steps to Enrich Your Life and Relationships in a Meaningful Way and/or access my calendar HERE to schedule a 30-minute call with me to re-ignite your inner spark and engagement with others!

Enjoy this month of July!