Social connections, stress, anxiety and the silly season.
Social connectedness is associated with improved mental and physical health (Cruwys et.al.,2013), with higher rates of depression found in people with reduced social connections (Saeri, et.al., 2018). Given that we have had a VERY strange couple of years, where rates of loneliness have significantly increased (betterhealthvic, 2022), we may be feeling anxious about getting back out there and that’s to be expected!
So with the silly season approaching and social restrictions having lifted for the large part, it’s likely that November & December may be the busiest we have experienced in a while when it comes to social events and the silly season.
If you’re feeling concerned about the impact that the silly season might have on your wellbeing keep reading for some tips for keeping your stress and anxiety in check whilst also enjoying social activities.
Have a plan of attack - you don't need to stay late or for the entirety of a social event, know your limits and have an entry/exit plan. This might just mean saying to a friend when you arrive what time you have to leave and then making a polite exit when that time comes, it might be letting the host know before the actual event that you can only stay for a little while and if it's a wild one and you're just not feeling it it's totally okay to pull the smoke bomb card too, maybe just let your nearest and dearest know beforehand so they don't get worried about your whereabouts.
Be picky about the events that you are attending, you don’t have to attend them all!
Practice meditation or breathing exercises before an event to help to calm your nervous system
Limit caffeine before events if you are sensitive, consuming excess caffeine is likely to send your already activated nervous system into overdrive
Make sure you have eaten enough during the day before an event, anxiety may be is worsened during fasted states
You don't have to drink alcohol if you don't feel like it, there are soooo many nice non-alcoholic options these days if you feel more comfortable taking a bottle of something with you or just having a emotional support glass of something in your hand whilst making small talk
If anxiety and depression is something that you are struggling with on a day to day basis, nutritional support through correcting micro and macro nutrient deficiencies, addressing gut health issues and reducing inflammation using diet, lifestyle and specific supplement support may be of assistance.
You can book in for a complementary consultation with Elizabeth below.
If you are struggling with your mental health and feel that you need further support, the following organisations offer free assistance:
Lifeline: https://www.lifeline.org.au
The butterfly foundation: https://butterfly.org.au/get-support/helpline/
Beyond blue: https://www.beyondblue.org.au
Reference list
Cruwys et.al (2013). Social group memberships protect against future depression, alleviate depression symptoms and prevent depression relapse. Social Science & Medicine. Volume 98,2013,Pages 179-186. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2013.09.013.
Saeri AK, Cruwys T, Barlow FK, Stronge S, Sibley CG. Social connectedness improves public mental health: Investigating bidirectional relationships in the New Zealand attitudes and values survey. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry. 2018;52(4):365-374. doi:10.1177/0004867417723990
Strong relationships, strong health. February 2022. https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/Strong-relationships-strong-health