outline of someone walking up stairs with the words small steps for better health
Jun 03 2024

Spend Time with Someone Who Lifts Your Spirits

Written By Clark Hunt, MEd, LPC
outline of someone walking up stairs with the words small steps for better health
Summary

Building strong personal relationships can have a positive affect on your mental and physical health.

Building strong personal relationships can have a positive affect on your mental and physical health.

Subscribe to our podcast to follow along with Small Steps for Better Health.


When life gets busy, we may neglect our friendships and relationships. But research has shown that the single most important predictor of happiness and a long life is having strong relationships. Health measures like heart rate and blood pressure can even improve with positive social interactions.

Building a strong network of friends and supporters takes time and dedication, but it is achievable. Just like our other Small Steps for Better Health, let’s break it down and make it simple and sustainable. Here are some ideas to get you started. Pick one and act today.

  • Think of a friend you haven’t seen in a while. Take a few moments to send a text message or make a phone call to check in with them and schedule a time to get together if you can. It can be as simple as meeting for a coffee or lunch, going for a walk together or even riding together to run your errands.
  • Try to keep social interactions positive, by asking questions about the other person’s life, actively listening, and showing empathy.
  • Be flexible, supportive, and excited when others share what is going on in their lives with you.
  • Go to a local sports event, music performance, art gallery or cooking class where you can meet new people.
  • Attend a community event like a parade or walk.
  • If you are a member of a spiritual or religious group, attend available services this week. Churches and religious groups often have many ways you can get involved and spend time with others.

Make it a goal to incorporate any of the above into your weekly routine. Prioritize your relationships and social network – it will go a long way in improving your physical and mental health.

Small Steps, Better Health

Every two weeks we will introduce another Small Step for Better Health. Follow us on social media for more tips, and sign up for our email newsletter, True North.

Clark Hunt
Clark Hunt
Meet the author

Clark Hunt, MEd, LPC

Clark Hunt, MEd, LPC, is a counselor at the NMMC Behavioral Health Center, where he has worked for two years. A native of Oxford, Mississippi, Clark is an experienced Licensed Professional Counselor with a background in various behavioral health settings. His previous experience includes work as an intake clinician, case manager and behavioral health specialist. He received his master of education in community counseling from the University of Mississippi.

Notepad-Text--Streamline-Flex

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Like this content and want to get more? Sign up for True North, the health and wellness newsletter from North Mississippi Health Services!

Notepad-Text--Streamline-Flex

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Like this content and want to get more? Sign up for True North, the health and wellness newsletter from North Mississippi Health Services!

Mother holding child while on a call with a nurse

Nurse Link®

Call 1-800-882-6274 anytime to speak directly to a registered nurse and get immediate answers. Using computerized medical protocols, nurses direct callers to the most appropriate medical treatment. Our nurses are available 24 hours per day, seven days per week.