6.2 Social, Environmental, and Spiritual Wellness

Social Wellness

Perhaps the most written about “secret” to happiness is having high quality social relationships. Research has shown that the number and quality of a person’s social relationships can have a direct correlation to their well-being and happiness. However, it is important to note that it is the quality of those social connections that have the most impact. For example, happiness doesn’t depend necessarily on having dozens of friends, but rather on having at least a few close connections.² Social wellness is the ability to interact with others and to live up to the expectations and demands of our personal roles.³

It may seem like common sense that good relationships translate to more happiness, however, you may be surprised to learn that good relationships also translate to better health. Interestingly, both the quality and quantity of social relationships can affect a person’s health. Research has shown that having a larger social network and high quality relationships can be beneficial for health, whereas having a small social network and poor quality relationships can actually be detrimental to health. Some reasons for these outcomes could be explained by the concept that people who experience social support might feel less stress, and stress is associated with a variety of health problems. Additionally, people might share health behaviors with their friends and family members, such as abstaining from alcohol or exercising, which could positively impact their wellbeing.³

The impacts of social relationships are why it is so important to be wise with who you choose to add to your social network. Just how positive connections improve your well-being and happiness, negative social relationships are linked to ineffective social support and are a source of stress, having a detrimental effect on your well-being and happiness.² Being able to be tuned into your emotions and to trust your gut when it comes to deciding who to add to your social network, can put you in the right direction for choosing people who will improve your quality of life. Developing and learning to trust your intuition involves actively practicing social and emotional learning skills.³

Social and emotional learning is the awareness and understanding of emotions in oneself and in others; an ability to manage one’s own emotions; tolerance to differences in others’ values, cultures, and perspectives; flexibility in one’s own interpersonal behavior; and an ability to take an active role in cultivating productive relationships with others.³ If someone feels off, or if a situation with someone feels uneasy, it is important to advocate for yourself.  Speak up for what you need so you can get it, and speak up for what you want to avoid. Peer pressure does not disappear at high school graduation. It is usually easier to recover from embarrassment or other social consequences than from injury due to trauma or violence. It is important to be proactive with your safety, and to communicate your boundaries to others.³

Some strategies for fostering your social wellness include forming meaningful connections with others, a sense of belonging in your community, and a well-developed support system that adds value to your life. Some tips for accomplishing these include making at least one social connection daily, seeking advice from peers or support groups, getting involved in clubs and organizations in your community, and fostering healthy relationships by trusting your intuition, developing your social and emotional learning skills, and learning how to effectively communicate your boundaries with others.¹

To test yourself on how you are doing with regards to developing your social wellness, you can ask yourself how often do you experience the following¹:

• I have people with whom I have a close, trusting relationship.
• I have satisfying social interactions with others.
• I am aware and able to set and respect my own and others’ boundaries.
• I am aware of the feelings of others and can respond appropriately.
• I have a sense of belonging to a group or within organizations.

Environmental Wellness

Environmental wellness is how well we set up our surroundings so that we limit harmful activities that damage natural resources while simultaneously maximizing our environment so that it produces optimal human health and flourishing.⁴ It refers to leading a lifestyle that values the relationship between ourselves, our community and the environment. The core principle of environmental wellness is respect—respect for all nature and all species living in it.⁵

Humans can negatively impact the environment by over-consuming products that create waste, not conserving resources, or failing to care for nature. Likewise, the environment can have harmful effects on humans through exposure to toxic products or improper air quality and lighting conditions.⁴

Environmental wellness is important because having a good relationship with the environment we spend time in allows us to live a healthier and happier life. At work, that means being surrounded by elements that are conducive to productivity, engagement, and enjoyment of work, including factors that influence creativity and innovation.⁴

These same principles can be applied to school. Take a look at your typical study space. Is it comfortable? How does it make you feel? Is there natural light? Is there fresh air? Are there any plants nearby? Is it tidy? Is it free from distractions? Do you feel productive and engaged in this space? If not, what changes can you make to your physical environment in order to improve your environmental wellness? For example, perhaps you could clean your room, study next to a window, sit in a comfortable chair, or use noise cancelling headphones.⁴

It is important to set yourself up for success during a study session by taking a good look at your environmental wellness, and taking action ahead of time to make sure your space is set up to be supportive of your goals. Sometimes, studying at home can be difficult due to the environment not being aligned with the goal of studying. If you find yourself in this situation, you can always explore spaces on campus that support your environmental wellness, such as Albertsons Library, the ILC, picnic tables outside, or the Student Union Building.

Good quality environments contribute positively to your overall health by providing you with a pleasant sensory experience, which can help you feel calm and safe in the space. Your environment influences the way you feel, think, and work¹.

In order to get a better idea of where you are at with regards to your environmental wellness, you can ask yourself how often you experience the following¹:

• I am aware of the environment around me and strive to live in harmony with it.
• The environment where I live and spend my time is safe and nurturing.
• I understand and think about how what I do impacts those around me.
• I believe that everyone has a role to play in protecting the world around us.
• I practice environmentally conscious behaviors (e.g., recycling, composting)

Spiritual Wellness

Spiritual wellness in the college setting is often overlooked, yet it plays a crucial role in overall well-being. Spiritual wellness involves finding meaning, purpose, and connection to something larger than yourself, while simultaneously allowing you to be in tune with your inner self.⁶

Spiritual wellness lets you find meaning in life events and define your individual purpose. Spirituality can stem from beliefs, faith, values, ethics or moral principles that provide purpose and direction in your life. A healthy spirit helps you remain resilient and better prepared to face life’s challenges.⁵

Some ways you can foster your spiritual wellness include⁵:

• Exploring your inner self. Take time to think about who you are.
• Meditating or practicing mindful relaxation.
• Practicing acceptance.
• Being curious. If something happens that makes you even the slightest bit curious, take a moment to explore the experience a little deeper.
• Looking for a religious faith that aligns with your values.
• Traveling and experiencing other cultures.

Enhancing your spiritual wellness involves expanding your sense of purpose and meaning in your life.³ You can strengthen your connection to yourself, nature, and others by trusting your intuition and taking time to discover what values and beliefs are most important to you.¹ By getting to know yourself, you will be able to make decisions and choose how you want to spend your time based on your values. Since your values are connected to who you really are on a deeper level, an awareness of them will help you bring balance and peace to your life.¹

Spiritual wellness encompasses everything from practicing a religion to spending time in nature, or simply taking part in activities or hobbies that you enjoy.⁵ It is important to note that spiritual wellness looks different for everyone, and there is no “right way” for how to improve it.

To get an idea of where you currently stand with your spiritual wellness, you can ask yourself, how often do you experience the following?¹

• I have a sense of meaning and purpose in my life.
• I have a general sense of serenity.
• I practice prayer, meditation, or engage in some type of reflective growth.
• Principles/ethics/morals provide guides for my life.
• I trust others and am able to forgive others and myself.

Citations

1. 1. Wellness Services. (2025, May 15). Dimensions of Wellness. Wellness Services. https://www.boisestate.edu/wellness/dimensions/
   2. Tan, K., & Tay, L. (2025). Relationships and well-being. In R. Biswas-Diener & E. Diener (Eds.), Noba textbook series: Psychology. Noba Project. http://noba.to/h2tu6sxn. CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
   3. Foundations for College Success, Health & Wellness, Readings. (n.d.). OER Commons. Retrieved [Month Day, Year], from https://oercommons.org/courseware/lesson/79219/overview
   4. Wellics Team. (2022, August 2). How to improve environmental wellness in the workplace. Wellics. https://www.wellics.com/blog/environmental-wellness-in-the-workplace
   5. Student Health and Counseling Services, University of California, Davis. (2025, August 19). Eight Dimensions of Wellness. Student Health and Counseling Services, UC Davis. https://shcs.ucdavis.edu/health-and-wellness/eight-dimensions-wellness
   6. Medicat. (2023, May 9). Bringing Holistic Wellness to College Health. Medicat. https://medicat.com/bringing-holistic-wellness-to-college-health/