
Social support reduces stress’s psychological and physiological consequences, especially chronic stress. It also helps prevent post-traumatic stress disorder and pregnancy complications. Emotional and social support are crucial for a healthy life. In addition to helping reduce stress, they improve quality of life. The following are the benefits of social support. They increase our quality of life, lower the likelihood of disease, and protect us from post-traumatic stress disorder.
Social support reduces the psychological and physiological consequences of stress.
Despite the evidence supporting social support as a valuable resource for the self, research relating social support to self-control has been sparse. Although it is possible that social support can replenish resources under stress, more research is needed to determine how social support impacts stressed individuals’ self-regulation and coping abilities. Consequently, enhancing social support may be essential in minimizing the negative consequences of stress, including addictions, overspending, and poor decision-making under stress.
Better health and wellbeing
Interestingly, the social support of friends and family can directly affect the individual’s health and wellbeing. Its benefits can be felt regardless of stress, including negative life events. This is because social support from other people increases one’s psychological flexibility and decreases the use of avoidant coping strategies. Social support can even be a preventative measure against the consequences of stress.
It helps you feel connected.
Providing emotional support can help you feel connected and less alone. However, it is important to know that people require different types of emotional support depending on the situation and their individual needs. As a caring person, you must resist the urge to fix things or talk someone out of their feelings. Interestingly, more than half of people find it difficult to make decisions independently, and social support can benefit people with physical conditions.
It helps a person feel cared for
The two main types of support are social and emotional. Social support can come in many forms and environments, but it is an intentional act of kindness that makes another person feel important and loved. The benefits of social and emotional support are often life-enhancing, including a higher quality of life and buffering against negative life events. The kinds of support that can be provided to a person are emotional, instrumental, and informational.
Summing up: People in difficult situations often don’t know exactly what they need, so asking open-ended questions will help keep the conversation going. Another important aspect of emotional support is listening actively to express your concern and show that you care. Emotional support is crucial, but it is important to remember that your support will not provide solutions or resolve the problem.