Why Social Support May Be the Best Way to Help Reduce Stress

Statistics suggest that too many of us are under too much stress. According to the 2022 APA Stress in America survey, 27% of American adults say they are frequently so stressed that they cannot function. When stress makes us want to shut down, having people to turn to might be the key.

Social support is critical for mental well-being. We are social creatures, and having people to care for, support us, and share our lives is a source of joy and connection. It turns out social support doesn't just make us happy; it also helps minimize the effects of stress.

Social support may best help reduce stress by providing the resources we need to thrive, increasing hormones that combat stress and help us feel good, improving overall health, and decreasing the risk of death.

What Is Social Support?

Social support refers to a network of friends, family, and other community members who can respond with help in times of need. 

These are the people we talk to when we are having problems. The ones we turn to when we need help with a task. The people willing to lend their resources, time, effort, or information when we need help.

Types of Social Support

Not all types of social support are the same. The type you need often depends on the kind of stress you are dealing with. Here are some of the main types you'll often need in your life.

Emotional Social Support

Emotional social support is all about affirming our worth and showing concern about how we feel.  In other words, emotional support shows us that there are people who care.

Showing someone emotional support often involves listening with empathy, validating emotions, and telling people how much they are valued. Sometimes, it's as simple as giving someone a shoulder to cry on.

Informational Social Support

Informational social support happens when someone shares advice or information to help us cope with something stressful or challenging. When we don't quite know how to handle it, turning to a more knowledgeable or experienced person in our support circle can give us the information we need to respond and cope.  

Tangible Social Support

Tangible social support includes sharing resources, either material or financial. Obviously, this can include providing loans of monetary gifts, but it can also involve offers to share childcare duties, helping a friend move, or even bringing a casserole to a grieving family.

Belonging Social Support

Belonging social support involves providing social leisure and belonging. This means including friends in the group, and spending time with friends who need support and may feel alone.

How Does Social Support Reduce Stress

So why is social support one of the best ways to help reduce stress? There are actually many reasons.

It Leads to Healthier Behaviors

Research has found that people who have healthy social networks are more likely to make better healthy choices. They are more likely to exercise and eat a healthy diet. They are also less likely to turn to unhealthy coping methods, like smoking, drinking, or using drugs.

It Buffers Against Stress

Social support is also believed to help create a buffer against stress. Having supportive connections is linked to lower levels of depression and workplace burnout. 

It's also positively linked to better physical and mental health. In one study, high social support levels were associated with reduced blood pressure.

It Reduces Loneliness and Social Isolation

Loneliness and social isolation are associated with a wide range of health problems. According to the American Medical Association, this includes an increased risk of stroke, heart disease, depression, and death.

Unfortunately, statistics suggest that there are more lonely people than ever before. It's such a growing health concern that the U.S. Surgeon General, Vivek H. Murthy, MD, has released an advisory on the health effects of the epidemic of loneliness and isolation.

That's why it's important to remember that you need a support system. Even if you tend to be an introvert who prefers solitude, you still need connections and support.

How to Find Social Support

The good news is that you don't need a huge social circle to reap the stress-busting rewards of social support. The key is to forge high-quality, nurturing connections. Your social support network can be small but mighty.

If you want to grow your social support system, there are things you can do to ensure you have the right kind of support when you need it.

Reconnect With Old Friends

Sometimes the best place to start is to reestablish connections with people you've lost touch with. Look up old friends or classmates on social media and reach out. See if they'd like to get together or chat on the phone. 

Make New Connections

Meeting new people can seem intimidating, but it gets easier with practice! You might consider trying an app or website like Bumble or Meetup, where like-minded people can get together to share their interests. Or you might take a class offered by your local community college. 

It can help to widen your search to consider options you might not have thought of in the past. Attending community events like book readings, plays, and musical performances can also be a great way to meet people and make friends as an adult.

Take Care of Your Relationships

Caring for and preserving your interpersonal relationships is the key to maintaining a solid social support system. That means sharing things about yourself and listening to what they have to say.

It is also crucial to show respect, think about their feelings, and reach out and support them when they need it.