Having strong social relationships can significantly impact both physical and mental health. Nurturing friendships and seeking counseling can boost your immune system and mood, while surrounding yourself with unhealthy influences may increase health risks. The document provides tips for improving social health such as cultivating supportive friends, expressing emotions, utilizing campus counseling services, and knowing relationship rights.

1. Prioritizing your Social Health
Health Tip 5
February 21, 2012
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Imagine that you’ve decided to become healthier. You’re probably thinking about eating better quality
food, going to the RSF more often, and maybe even getting that extra hour of sleep you wish for every
morning. It all sounds so easy, but have you actually considered the effect that your social life has on
your health?
In fact, your social health has an incredible impact on both your physical and mental well being. Not
only can having strong relationships with others actually make you and those around you happier, but it
can also boost your body’s abilities to fight off sickness and even make you smarter that you already
Things
you
can
do
to
improve
your
social
health:
1. Your friends have more influence over you than you
think.
A 10-year study in Australia showed that older
people with large circles of friends were 22% less likely to
die than those with fewer friends during the study. Another
study in 2007 showed that people whose friends that gained
weight were nearly 60% more likely to become obese
themselves. Knowing how influential your friends can be,
try to surround yourself with supportive and happy people.
2. Crying and talking about your feelings can
actually make you happier.
There’s actually a scientific reason for this. When
you cry, your body releases endorphins (the same chemicals
that cause “runner’s high”) into your nervous system.
Additionally, talking about your emotions with someone
you trust is a great way to help relieve stress and has been
shown to have a large effect on one’s mental health. You
don’t strictly need to talk to one of your friends either
because…
3. You could benefit from professional help
even more.
You probably have someone you can rant
to about an exams or who will listen to you
when you just need to talk something out, but
did you know that UHS employs people who do
those things professionally?
Every Cal student has five free counseling sessions at
Counseling and Psychological Services. Tang CPS
sees Berkeley students who want to talk about a range
of things such as anxiety, relationships, depression,
adjustment difficulties, roommates, and homesickness.
Knowing
your
Dating
Bill
of
Rights
is very important for your social health, so remember
YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO:
♥ trust yourself above all others
♥ refuse to have sex
♥ say NO
♥ be loved
♥ be cared about
♥ stop blaming yourself for dating abuse
♥ be safe on a date
♥ refuse to date anyone
♥ be respected as a person
♥ leave any dating situation
♥ trust your instincts
Did you know?
Supporting Peers in Laid-Back Listening (SPILL) is a
free, anonymous, and supportive venting outlet for Cal
students. Spill whatever you want via email
(berkeley@studentspill.com) and expect to receive a