Note to Self: Get Social

Did you know. . .

"The happiest people have vibrant social networks. In several studies of individuals with self-reported high well-being, the number one strategy used to raise mood and combat depression was 'social affiliation.' People also report feeling happier when they are around others."

--Caroline Adams Miller and Michael B. Frisch, PhD, in Creating Your Best Life (Sterling) as published in Oprah Managazine, January 2009 issue

Follow someone new on Twitter and DM them; invite someone new to join you on LinkedIn, Facebook or your social networking site of choice; or invite a member of your local network to coffee.

Get out there and make a new connection today.

Comments

[laurie ruettimann]

Good advice. How many of us are in our own bubbles?

Break the bubble!

[Chris- Manager's Sandbox]

Interesting idea, and I'm a HUGE advocate of social media. I wonder, though, if having a strong online social community actually correlates to the benefits of having a strong real-life social community. Something tells me that having an unbalanced preference toward online social groups may actually exacerbate unhappiness.

My recommendation, meet new people however you can, including online. But whenever possible, transfer online relationships into real-life relationships - meet for lunch, grab coffee, attend a convention, whatever.

- Chris

[Paul]

And then there are the introverts who
1. Don't report
2. Avoid a lot of social affiliations

Taking change or accepting responsibility for one's own mental health is probably one of the best things a person can do. The 'magic bullet' to kill depression is going to vary from person to person. Introverts naturally avoid a lot of social contact. Depressed introverts even more so. Being an introvert I can speak from experience on the issue. I also found a therapy for depression that has worked wonders for me and that is affirmations combined with brainwave entrainment.

[Lisa Rosendahl]

Hey Chris, thanks for balancing out the perspective. Yes, get off line and get face-to-face. Anyone who finds themselves in the St. Cloud area has an open invitation to give me a call. I don't get out much but will tweet when I travel and can return the favor in your area(s).

@Paul, the very cool thing about this social stuff l is that each person can tailor it to his or her own individual needs and desires. Pretty awesome!