As we approach Social Wellness Month in July, now is the perfect time to explore how cultivating strong social connections at work can benefit individuals and organizations alike.
We often talk about mental, physical, and emotional health, but there’s another crucial dimension that directly impacts our well-being: social wellness.
Social wellness defined: It’s the ability to build meaningful relationships, feel connected, and foster a sense of belonging. In the workplace, where most adults spend a third of their lives, social wellbeing plays a major role in productivity, engagement, and retention.“You’re not alone.” Many of us have or will crave these comforting words at one point, especially when life throws its hardest punches.
Table of Contents:
- What is Social Wellness
- Why is Social Wellness Important at Work
- What is Social Wellness Month
- How to Promote Social Wellness in the Workplace
- Final Thoughts and Next Steps
- Frequently Asked Questions
What is Social Wellness
Social wellness is one of the eight dimensions of wellness and refers to our ability to develop and maintain healthy, supportive relationships. It’s about how we interact with others, form connections, and feel a sense of community.
Strong social health allows us to communicate effectively, resolve conflicts, and establish boundaries. It supports mental resilience, reduces stress, and increases life satisfaction.
Want to understand all the dimensions of wellness? Explore our guide to the 8 dimensions of well-being.
Why is Social Health Important at Work?
Workplaces have a powerful influence on social wellbeing. When employees feel connected and valued, everything from innovation to retention improves.
Here’s why social wellness in the workplace matters:
- Boosted Engagement and Productivity
- Stronger Communication
- Inclusion and Belonging
- Better Retention and Innovation
Boosted Engagement and Productivity
Employees with strong workplace friendships are up to 7x more likely to be engaged. Social connection also reduces stress, burnout, and absenteeism. Additionally, organizations with a strong sense of connection and belonging are twice as likely to meet or exceed financial targets.
Stronger Communication
When employees trust one another, communication improves. Teams share honest feedback, resolve conflicts more efficiently, and collaborate with greater ease. This creates a culture of transparency and shared success.
Inclusion and Belonging
Social wellness supports DEIB goals by fostering inclusion. Employees who feel they belong are more likely to stay and contribute meaningfully to the organization. Belonging is directly tied to morale, motivation, and retention.
Improved Mental Health
Social support at work provides a buffer against stress and burnout. According to the American Psychological Association, employees with strong social connections report better mental health outcomes, including lower anxiety and higher resilience.
Enhanced Company Culture
A connected team is a compassionate team. Employees who check in on one another, celebrate milestones, and support each other through challenges contribute to a culture that retains top talent and attracts new ones.
Better Retention and Innovation
Nearly half of employees say a sense of connection influences their decision to stay with an employer. And diverse social networks lead to more innovative thinking, especially when teams span functions, demographics, and departments.
Why is social health important? Because it connects people not only to each other, but to your culture, purpose, and long-term success.
What is Social Wellness Month?
Social Wellness Month is observed every July to encourage individuals and organizations to focus on building and nurturing strong social connections.
First established to promote healthier personal relationships, the month has evolved to include a broader conversation about how community and workplace environments support (or hinder) our ability to connect.
Companies can use this month as an opportunity to:
- Audit their current culture of connection
- Celebrate team collaboration and empathy
- Launch new initiatives that promote social wellness in meaningful ways
How to Promote Social Wellness in the Workplace
Creating a culture of social wellbeing requires intention, not just pizza parties. As noted in a Microsoft report, this has become even harder with the rise of remote and hybrid work arrangements. The question for leaders now is how to recoup social capital, improve relationship-building, and improve workplace culture in this landscape.
Here are proven ways to strengthen workplace connection:
- Team-Building Activities
- Mentorship and Buddy Programs
- Create Shared Rituals / Recognize and Celebrate Achievements
- Lead with Empathy
- Encourage Open Dialogue
- Respect Work-Life Balance
- Use Technology Thoughtfully
Team-Building Activities
Want to break barriers and drive interesting conversations? Get people out of the office. These events create opportunities for employees to interact in a relaxed, non-work setting, building stronger bonds and improving communication.
Get people out of their usual routine and into shared experiences. Try:
- Off-site retreats or nature hikes
- Group fitness or yoga classes
- Spa days or wellness outings
- Boat rides or beach/poolside picnics
- Game nights, escape rooms, or cooking classes
These activities spark new conversations and build trust.
Mentorship and Buddy Programs
Mentorship programs foster employee connections at different career stages, promoting knowledge sharing and personal growth. For effective mentorship, establish formal mentorship matching processes to ensure compatibility between mentors and mentees based on skills, career goals and personalities. Additionally, set up regular check-ins and goal-setting sessions for mentor-mentee pairs.
Create Shared Rituals / Recognize and Celebrate Achievements
It’s normal for human beings to seek validation from others. When employees feel valued and appreciated, they’re more likely to engage positively with their colleagues and contribute to a supportive workplace culture. For starters, implement an employee recognition program with peer nominations. Recognize birthdays, celebrate milestones, or introduce weekly check-ins that promote connection beyond tasks.
Lead with Empathy
Empathy isn’t just soft leadership, it’s strategic. Leaders who listen, show vulnerability, and recognize diverse experiences set the tone for inclusive, connected teams. Empathetic leadership encourages others to model the same behavior, creating a ripple effect throughout the organization.
Encourage Open Dialogue
Hold space for feedback and collaboration as communication is the cornerstone of any meaningful relationship. It’s the engine behind trust, transparency, and collaboration in the workplace. It empowers employees to voice their ideas, concerns, and feedback, leading to improved problem-solving and innovation. Ideas to try:
- Implement an “open door” policy for management to make leadership more accessible and approachable.
- Host regular town hall meetings for company-wide updates and Q&A sessions
- Use anonymous feedback tools to encourage honest communication, especially on sensitive topics.
- Train managers in active listening and effective feedback techniques
Respect Work-Life Balance
Employees have lives and responsibilities outside of work. Recognizing that leads to reduced stress, improved well-being, and overall health. This, in turn, allows employees to bring their best selves to work and engage more positively with colleagues. To support work-life balance:
- Offer flexible working hours or remote work options
- Encourage employees to take their full vacation time
- Implement ‘no email after hours’ policies
- Provide wellness programs and resources for stress management like Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs)
Use Technology Thoughtfully
Create virtual spaces, especially if you have remote teams. Tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and Google Meet can bridge physical distances, facilitate quick, informal communication, and create a virtual space for team interactions. Creating virtual “water cooler” channels for casual conversations mimics the spontaneous interactions that occur in physical offices, allowing employees to build relationships beyond work-related discussions.
Final Thoughts and Next Steps
Social connection is not a nice-to-have, it’s essential. Prioritizing social wellness is one of the most effective ways to create a resilient, inclusive, and high-performing organization.
July is Social Wellness Month, but connection-building should be a year-round strategy. The stronger your workplace relationships, the stronger your team (and your business) becomes.
Ready to strengthen social wellbeing in your workplace?
Book a demo with IncentFit to see how our wellness platform supports meaningful connection, engagement, and culture at scale.
FAQs
What is social wellness?
Social wellness refers to your ability to build and maintain positive, meaningful relationships with others. It’s one of the eight core dimensions of wellness.
What is social wellness at work?
Social wellness in the workplace means fostering supportive relationships, encouraging open communication, and building a culture of inclusion and belonging.
Why is social health important?
Social health supports emotional resilience, reduces burnout, and drives engagement and innovation.
How do you improve social wellbeing in the workplace?
Start with intentional team-building, open communication, and policies that support connection, then lead by example.
When is Social Wellness Month?
Social Wellness Month is observed every July and serves as a reminder to focus on connection, community, and relationship-building.