The Importance of Maintaining Social Engagement During Relocation
By Katie Sofko
The Power of Social Engagement in Lifestyle Medicine
As individuals, human beings have always sought social interaction to enhance their physical, emotional, and psychological well-being. As such, it is no surprise that “social engagement” is one of the seven pillars of lifestyle medicine, equal in importance to fundamental things such as restorative sleep, healthful nutrition, movement and exercise, gratitude and purpose, stress management, and cognitive enhancement.
Tending to all of these pillars simultaneously is ideal, but individually these fundamental building blocks of a healthy lifestyle can be stressed in many different ways and at various times in a person’s life. Life events that disrupt a person’s social engagement can include the transition from elementary school to high school, moving to a new neighborhood, relocating for a job, or commencing grad studies at a new university, among others.
Given that each of these transitions comes with a multitude of issues to address, a person can be forgiven for assuming that social engagement might be the least of anyone’s worries when, in reality, not addressing a person’s need for social engagement during these transitions has a direct impact on a person’s ability to adapt to a new environment and to maintain a positive perspective during a challenging time.
Why Social Engagement Matters
Although it can often be overlooked, social engagement is one of the seven pillars of lifestyle medicine for good reason. In addition to bringing joy, a sense of belonging, and feelings of connectedness, social engagement also has a fundamental impact on a person’s overall physical and mental health.
For example, low social connectedness can increase your likelihood of getting sick when exposed to a virus such as the common cold. It can also influence mortality from cardiovascular disease, with one study of women with suspected coronary artery disease finding that the mortality rate of women with low social connectedness was more than twice that of women with high social connectedness. Low social connectedness can negatively impact mental health as well. A study out of England found that among people with a history of depression, 15% of those involved in three or more social clubs had a recurrence of depression six years later, compared to 41% of those who were not involved with any club.
Social Engagement During Life Transitions
As a result, it is important to recognize the significance of social engagement to your overall health and well-being, and to make it a priority to put time and effort into socializing and establishing new connections whenever you relocate. Whether it’s a freshman heading out of state for college, an employee relocating for a job, or a graduate student moving to a new country, starting anew in an unfamiliar setting can significantly affect one’s level of social engagement.
Leaving behind friends, family, and even casual acquaintances like the neighborhood mail carrier can result in feelings of disconnection. To counter this, people need to reach out and create new connections within their new community. For example, one study on international students at U.S. universities found that on-campus socializing had a strong effect on social adjustment to college and, in particular, that participation in campus sports offered many social benefits. Interestingly, joining a sports team not only improves social engagement but also supports other pillars of lifestyle medicine, including movement and exercise, stress management, and even restorative sleep. In this sense, the benefits of social engagement are not only beneficial in themselves, but also often reinforce other pillars of wellness.
Practical Ways to Strengthen Social Connections
Although seeking out social engagement and establishing new connections may seem like an overwhelming task, there are a number of ways to go about it. Looking for group opportunities to socialize over common interests, playing sports, pursuing community enhancement, and attending cultural and religious events are a few ways to get started. As well, there are many helpful online resources, such as the National Institute of Health (NIH), which has created a toolkit for improving social wellness. Many of their recommendations are beneficial when relocating to a new place and include:
- Joining a club focused on a hobby you enjoy, such as a knitting club or a book club.
- Trying a new group physical activity, such as a yoga class or jazzercise.
- Volunteering at a local library or community center.
Building Connections Takes Time
However you choose to enhance your social engagement, it is important to remember that building social connections takes time, but with effort and consistency, it becomes much easier. One study found that it takes 50 hours of socializing for an acquaintance to become a friend, so focusing on making connections sooner rather than later after relocating can have a big impact on how your social engagement develops. So next time you relocate, be sure to make social engagement a high priority after settling in. You’ll be glad that you did!
