Diary of kavitha narayanan

It doesn't take a scientific study to show that surrounding yourself with supportive family, friends and co-workers can have a positive effect on your mental well-being, although there's plenty of research to confirm it. A strong social support network can be critical to helping you through the stress of tough times, whether you've had a bad day at work or a year filled with loss or chronic illness. It's never too soon to cultivate these important relationships ¡X and your social support network can never have too many good friends.

A social support network is made up of friends, family and peers. A coffee break with a friend at work, a quick chat with a neighbor, a phone call to your sister, even a visit to church are all ways to reduce stress while fostering lasting relationships with the people close to you. The positive effects of a support network include:

ense of belonging. Spending time with people helps ward off loneliness. Just knowing you're not alone can go a long way toward coping with stress.
Increased sense of self-worth. Having people who call you a friend reinforces the idea that you're a good person to be around.
Feeling of security. By reaching out and sharing yourself with others, you have the added security of knowing that if you start to show signs of depression or exhibit unhealthy lifestyle habits, your friends can help alert you to the problem.

The first step toward developing a strong support network is an evaluation of your own behavior as it relates to building and maintaining friendships. After all, relationships are a two-way street. The better friend you are, the better your friends will be. Here are some suggestions for nurturing your relationships:

Stay in touch. Answering phone calls, returning e-mails and reciprocating invitations lets people know you care.
Be proactive. Don't wait for someone else to make the first move. If you meet someone you think could be a good friend, invite him or her for coffee. Or be the one to strike up a conversation while in line at the grocery store.
Know when to say no and when to say yes. Spending time with people who aren't supportive can add stress and take away valuable time. On the other hand, don't decline an invitation because you feel shy or insecure.
Don't compete. Be happy instead of jealous when your friends succeed, and they'll celebrate your accomplishments in return.
Be a good listener. Find out what's important to your friends ¡X you might find you have even more in common than you think.
Challenge yourself. Keep looking for ways to improve yourself. Maybe it's by complaining less, being more generous or forgiving others' faults.
Don't overdo it. In your zeal to extend your social network, be careful not to overwhelm friends and family with phone calls and e-mails. Save those high-demand times for when you really need them.
Appreciate your friends and family. Take time to say thank you and express how important they are to you. Ready for more friends, but not sure where to find them?

Here are some ideas for extending your social network:

Visit the park. Whether you bring your dog, or your kids you'll have something to talk about.
Volunteer. Pick a cause that's important to you, and you're sure to meet others who share a similar value system.
Ask a friend. Next time you meet a friend for lunch, ask him or her to bring along someone else.
Go back to school. A local college or community education course will put you in contact with others who share similar hobbies or pursuits.
Look online. Although in-person relationships are best, if you're living in a small town or living abroad, you might find added support through chat rooms or online bulletin boards. Many good sites exist for people going through stressful times such as chronic illness, loss of a loved one, new baby, divorce and other life changes. Just be sure to stick to reputable sites, and never arrange person-to-person meetings with such a contact.

Remember that the goal of extending your social support network is to reduce your stress level, not add to it. It's always a good time to make more friends or improve on the relationships you already have. Whether you're the one getting the support or the one doling out the encouragement, you'll reap the rewards of comfort and compassion.

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