How Social Support Contributes to Psychological health

Social support is often identified as a key component of solid relationships and strong psychological health, but what exactly does it mean?

Essentially, social support involves having a network of family and friends that you can turn to in times of need. Whether you are facing a personal crisis and need immediate assistance, or you just want to spend time with people who care about you, these relationships play a critical role in how you function in your day-to-day life.

But social support is certainly not a one-way street. In addition to relying on others, you also serve as a form of support for many people in your life. 

Research has also demonstrated the link between social relationships and many different aspects of health and wellness.

Poor social support has been linked to depression and loneliness and has been shown to alter brain function and increase the risk of the following:

- Alcohol use

- Cardiovascular disease

- Depression

- Suicide

Supportive social networks can come in different forms and play different roles in your life. 

Emotional support:

Sometimes the people in your life provide emotional support. They back you up when you need it and are there with a shoulder to cry on when things don't go your way. This type of support can be particularly important during times of stress or when people are feeling lonely.

Instrumental Support:

In other cases, the people in your social network might provide instrumental support. They take care of your physical needs and offer a helping hand when you need it.6 This might involve bringing you a hot meal when you are sick or giving you a ride when your car is in the shop. Such support is important when people have immediate needs that must be addressed.

Informational Support:

People can also provide what is known as informational support. This can involve providing guidance, advice, information, and mentoring. Such support can be important when making decisions or big changes in one's life.

By having this form of support, people may feel less anxious and stressed out about the problems thay are trying to solve thanks to the advice of a trusted friend, mentor or love one.

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. By having a solid social support network, you are more likely to receive the type of support that you need when you really need it.

Every once in a while, it can be important to assess your relationships:

 - Do you have enough social support?

 - Would you benefit from deepening your current relationships?

- Could you use some new social contacts or social outlets?

You might decide to get more proactive about giving and getting emotional support. 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. A mental health provider may be able to assist you in managing your relationships in a healthy way so you can have the social support you need to be your best.

This article has been sourced from the following: https://www.verywellmind.com/social-support-for-psychological-health-4119970