Well-being: Important people around you

​Social environment

In addition to physical and mental well-being, our well-being is also influenced by our social environment. The social environment consists of all the people we interact with. Your social environment may include, for example, family, friends, classmates, hobbies, gaming communities, and pets. We may not always be able to choose our social environment, such as family, siblings, or classmates. However, together we have the opportunity to influence what it becomes and how it affects our well-being.

Social skills can and should be developed throughout life. In various relationships and situations, we learn skills such as communication, empathy, and respectful treatment of others.

​Main points

• Well-being is influenced by the social environment, body, and mind.

• The social environment consists of all the people we interact with.

• You can influence what your social environment becomes.

​Discuss together

The atmosphere in the classroom is influenced by every member, including the teacher.

Think about how you could impact the atmosphere of your classroom with your actions in a way that supports the well-being of everyone.

​Social support

You may have comforted a friend when they were feeling down. In doing so, you acted as a social support for your friend. All the support that can be received from another person and given to another is social support. Social support includes caring, helpfulness, advice, constructive feedback, and gratitude, among other things. People who receive diverse social support are healthier and happier than those who experience loneliness.

Could you act as a social support for someone and reduce their feelings of loneliness?

​Main points

• Social support encompasses all the assistance that can be received and given to another person.

• Social support includes caring, helpfulness, advice, constructive feedback, and expressions of gratitude.

• Those who receive diverse social support are healthier and happier than those who experience loneliness.

​Friends influence

Friendships affect your well-being. So, be with friends who enhance your well-being. A good friend doesn't encourage foolishness. They support your decisions and accept you even when you disagree.

Flexibility is required in friendships. It's not nice to be with someone who dictates and decides everything.

A good friend boosts self-esteem and doesn't undermine it with hurtful comments. You're also responsible for others' well-being, so consider how you speak to others and how you behave.

Remember, non-verbal communication matters too. Just rolling your eyes or giving a mean look can bring someone's mood down. Let's be kind to each other, so we all feel better.

​Main points

• Be with friends who enhance your well-being.

• Flexibility is required in friendships.

• Speak kindly to others.

• Remember, non-verbal communication matters too.