Social Wellness and the Holidays

Trick or treat, pass the turkey, and happy holidays!

Is anyone else feeling the impending time warp of the holiday season?!

I definitely feel it and am not ready for it, but apparently Costco, Hobby Lobby, Lowes, Home Depot and just about every other big box store were ready in September, HA!

In the spirit of the distant jingle bells that are ringing, I wanted to talk about social wellness through the holiday season.

Inevitably, if you are like me, you are going to be invited to attend many events, parties, get-togethers, reunions…etc between now and 11:59pm on NYE in 2023. Now is a great time to start thinking about and making a plan for your social wellness so you can avoid any social anxiety, or social burnout (could I say the word social any more? Yeah, probably).

What is Social Wellness?

Let’s look at the research for this answer. Research shows that humans are innately compassionate beings and that we crave the chances to show our compassion and empathy. This is like how animals such as dogs are social beings.

It is almost like in order to survive, we need social connections to procreate and create closeness. Researchers have also found that direct in-person contact triggers parts of our central nervous system that release neurotransmitters that help regulate our stress and anxiety.

All to say that simply talking to someone face-to-face can help us decrease stress and mental health issues. Evidence also supports that talk-therapy is beneficial just simply by being present with a professional who can empathetically listen and help one process.

In addition to socialization being good for our mental health, it can impact our brain functioning. A study published last year found that maintaining close friendships later in life could help to prevent mental decline. Professor Lieberman notes that:

“When you’re socially motivated to learn, the social brain can do the learning and it can do it better than the analytical network that you typically activate when you try to memorize.”

Yes, this is totally scientific, but stick with me for a second.

In a post-pandemic time, we are finding that making direct contact is not necessarily a priority for people anymore. We became accustomed to being home surrounded by our really small social, and probably only familial, circles. This 180 shift from being social to becoming isolated happened overnight.

And we are still feeling that now in 2023. You may find yourself not seeking social interactions as frequently, and when you do have social outings planned, you’re more excited when they get canceled.

Hi, it’s me, guilty.

But there are actual physiological shifts that take place when we engage in social settings that Psychologist Susan Pinker shares:

“Face-to-face contact releases a whole cascade of neurotransmitters and, like a vaccine, they protect you now, in the present, and well into the future, so simply […] shaking hands, giving somebody a high-five is enough to release oxytocin, which increases your level of trust, and it lowers your cortisol levels, so it lowers your stress.”

Oxytocin = positive vibes, it’s science!

On top of lowering stress, social wellness also serves a purpose, all of which as humans, we need:

You will feel less lonely. Having a social network decreases your sense of feeling alone, isolated, or lonely. Around 20% of Americans feel isolated in their free time.
You improve your mental health. Socialization with others can improve mental and overall health. More specifically laughter, touching, hugging and quality time with others has been shown to decrease depression and increase sense of self.
Your body directly responds to love and warmth from people. Research shows that physical touch or closeness with others can increase immunoglobulin levels.

So there you have it. Social wellness in a nutshell is essential to developing and maintaining not just healthy relationships but healthy lives physically, socially, mentally, and emotionally.

Social Wellness Ideas

With the holidays on our haunches, we have put together a list of local ideas and resources so you can find what social activities you may be most interested in.

Participate or plan a group activity!

Charlotte is a bustling place that almost always has something to offer families, couples in need of a date night, girls nights, sports fans and more. You can checkout:

local restaurants or breweries
Go bowling or try Top Golf
Attend an outdoor festival in the area

Need more ideas of what to do? Look at a list of things to do in Charlotte on Axios Charlotte and Charlotte’s got a lot:

No matter what you do, the point is to be surrounded by people and have fun socializing doing a fun activity together or simply chatting somewhere that isn’t your home.

What if I don’t like hanging out with a group of people?

That is okay! Many people prefer one-on-one over a big group of people. However, to begin to build a social network, you must start somewhere. Some places you may interact with one person, or a smaller group of people could be at:

The gym,
Coffee shop
Bookstore.

These are quieter activities and a more intimate (low stress) setting.

For those tech savvy people, another way to find friends is through Apps such as

Bumble BFF. You can look for friends on this App that align and have the same or similar interests as you!

I really don’t have money to spend! I need an activity at low or no cost.

I get this and feel it almost daily, but you could become a volunteer to a worthy cause. Celebrate the holidays by giving back to the community. Many places and causes thrive on active volunteers like:

Our local hospitals
nursing homes
animal shelters,
Road-side trash pickup

The beauty of volunteering is that you choose something that speaks to you. By showing up you will find yourself surrounded with new people that share the same interests and care for a charity as you.

Outdoor low or no-cost activities

The fall in Charlotte is one of my favorite times to get outside. The hot and humid weather is over and the crisp mornings and warm afternoons are just so inviting this time of year. Here are some of my favorite outdoor places:

Freedom Park,
Independence Park (newly reopened),
UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens,
McDowell Nature Preserve & Center and many more parks in the area. I’ve also done a “park-hop” day with my kids. That is a family win-win
White-Water Center. Their trails are free to walk, hike, run, or bike. You can also bring a blanket and find a space to hangout and watch the rafters go by.

Indoor low or no-cost activities

Maybe the outdoors is not for you, so we’ve got you covered! You can never go wrong with checking out your local library!

The goal could be to interact with those around you in the library while you find a quiet place to cozy up and read a good book.

If you have kids, Imaginon has books, toys, computers and more that make the library a fun and imaginative place to visit.

There are so many ways to socialize with those around you. Check out the multiple Charlotte Mecklenburg library locations here: Home Page – Welcome to Charlotte Mecklenburg Library | Charlotte Mecklenburg Library (cmlibrary.org)

What if I’m an introvert or don’t like being around people?

There are other ways to socialize with people other than going to in-person events although face-to-face interactions are important. Start slowly and perhaps try meeting virtually or through a game. These can be just as socially stimulating and if you connect with someone who is local to you, you may find yourself wanting to meetup.

No matter what you do, remember that long-term interaction lays the foundation for a feeling of community.

Sound Great, but still not feeling confident?

Well, we aren’t event planners, but we do know that social anxiety is a very real thing. Maybe all of this sounds great in theory, but just isn’t something you will take initiative on. Our providers can work with you one-on-one to develop a plan to ease you into social situations without feeling so overwhelmed. And hey, the research did mention the benefits of talk-therapy, so by investing in your mental health, you’re already one step closer to conquering your social wellness. Be sure to check out our provider bios and use our contact page to take that first step.