The times when we are truly happy or joyful often involve other people. Socializing is important for our mental health; positive social connections help reduce stress, which negatively impacts our immune system.
Social isolation has been identified as problematic for seafarers for many years and it is not surprising that if people feel isolated, their wellbeing is likely to be affected. By all means, whether onboard or ashore, it is vital to nurture relationships and connect with the people around, thus focusing on our social self-care.
For effective focus on social self-care onboard, ship operators can…
- provide quality internet connectivity to make communication with loved ones back home easy for seafarers
- encourage seafarers to talking openly about any difficulties experienced on board
- create a sense of community onboard with themed events that encourage interaction
- help crew members to feel connected and supported with others by identifying introverts, language barriers and cultural differences
8 ways to practice Social Self- Care
#1 Call a close friend and family members to feel refreshed, uplifted, and supported.
#2 Meet up with a friend for a walk and talk to connect emotionally and stay active at the same time
#3 Pair up with a friend for a fun activity to take your mind off things that make you feel stressed
#4 Play with your pet; pets can be a great source of healing and support when you’re feeling down
#5 Set healthy boundaries; learn to say “no,” and give yourself permission to take a break
#6 Write a thank you note and letter to express appreciation and your inner thoughts
#7 Suggest a gathering; i.e. family dinner, play board games, bbq
#8 Prefer to disconnect; make sure that distractions like news feeds, instant messaging, etc don’t interfere with your social time
BUILDING RESILIENCE: Read in this series
