HEALTH + WELLNESS
TODAY’ S FAST-PACED CULTURE IS ONE OF CONSTANT CONNECTIVITY AND RELENTLESS ACTIVITY. IT’ S AS THOUGH BEING BUSY HAS BECOME A BADGE OF HONOUR, AND RESULTANTLY OUR SOCIAL CALENDARS ARE BURSTING AT THE SEAMS WITH POST-WORK DRINKS, WEEKEND BRUNCHES, BIRTHDAY NIGHTS OUT, FAMILY PLANS AND‘ CASUAL’ CATCH-UPS THAT CAN FEEL OBLIGATORY. MANY PEOPLE FEEL GUILTY FOR SAYING NO TO SOCIAL INVITATIONS OR FEAR THEY’ LL BE SEEN AS FLAKY OR ANTISOCIAL FOR CRAVING DOWNTIME. THE REALITY IS HOWEVER, WHEN SOCIALISING STARTS TO DRAIN YOUR BATTERY, PLANS CAN FEEL MORE OF A CHORE THAN A CHOICE. TAKING A STEP BACK FROM AN OVERSTUFFED SOCIAL CALENDAR IS NOT ONLY OK, IT ALSO BENEFITS OUR PSYCHOLOGICAL WELLBEING, FINANCIAL HEALTH AND LONG-TERM RELATIONSHIPS. POLLY HUMPHRIS TAKES A CLOSER LOOK AT THE VALUE OF SOCIAL STEP BACKS, EXPLORING HOW CONSCIOUSLY CARVING OUT SPACE FOR SOLITUDE AND SELF-REFLECTION CAN HELP BUILD A MORE MEANINGFUL SOCIAL LIFE.
N ow more than ever, we live in a society that appears to increasingly glorify extroversion. From a young age, we’ re taught that being outgoing equates to being successful, confident and well-adjusted. Step in social media- an ever-present devil’ s advocate that only intensifies this pressure, showcasing highlight reels of parties, holidays, achievements, accolades and picture-perfect gatherings – and the pressure to be seen to be living your best life, although manageable to some, can be hugely damaging to others.
In fact, although the term FOMO( fear of missing out) was originally coined by Harvard Business School student Patrick J. McGinnis in 2004 when he used it in a scholarly article on social theory, there’ s no denying the phrase’ s popularity became globally widespread by due to the rise of social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. According to recent stats, around 56 % of UK social media users acknowledge that it makes them feel FOMO, which is a strikingly common experience.
Constantly being‘ on’ socially – whether in person or via technology – has become a form of emotional labour and it’ s this expectation to always be available, entertaining and responsive that can wear people down, especially introverts or those prone to anxiety. Even extroverts aren’ t immune to social fatigue when their calendars lack any breathing room – which it’ s likely they don’ t.
So, what are the psychological benefits of stepping back socially?
Improved mental clarity and emotional regulation Research by the Mental Health Foundation has uncovered that over the past year, 74 % of UK adults have experienced emotional overwhelm related to social interactions, which is an eye-opening figure. When you take a step back from social obligations, you give your brain space to process experiences and emotions without the noise of constant interaction. Solitude itself has long been shown to improve emotional regulation, helping you better understand your feelings and responses, and ensuring that you’ re more present in the plans you happily say yes to.
Reduced anxiety and stress Social burnout – which is characterised by irritability, exhaustion and a sense of dread around social events( wanting to cancel as soon as you’ ve agreed)- is a real psychological phenomenon that keeps your nervous system in an agitated state of high alert. By allowing yourself downtime, your nervous system can shift from a state of constant stimulation to one of rest and recovery.
Enhanced self-awareness and authenticity Without input from others on every aspect of your life, you begin to hear your own voice more clearly. What do you want to do with your free time? What are your personal values and needs? A more introspective space allows you to separate your actions and opinions from that of your peers and connect with yourself on a deeper level so you can show up in your relationships with greater genuineness. www. insidekent. co. uk • 143