Social

Social Having social support is key toresilience!

Understand why you should prioritize relationships Learn skills that help developrelationships Developempathy

CHECK YOURSELF!

Do you have social support? Who are your friends?

Social Do you have friends to hang out with or do fun activities with?

Practical Do you have people in your life who could help you if you needed something, like a ride to the doctor?

Emotional Do you have people in your life who know how you’re doing? Do they know what you’re excited about or afraid of?

Spiritual Do you have friends who pray for you and you for them? Are you comfortable to discuss spiritual questions or provide encouragement to each other?

REFLE�T ON YOUR ANSWERS

If you did say no to any of these questions, you may want to consider making friendship development a personal priority.

Why? Because relationships help you be more resilient.

•The American Psychological Association calls“caring and supportive relationships”the primary factor in

resilience.

•A Harvard study tracked a number of physical and mental health outcomes. A er several decades the study found that “the only thing that really matters in life are your relationships with other people.”

This all sounds good, but there are obstacles to developing friendships,here are a few:

• I’m toobusy; I have classes, work, activities…I just don’t have time. • I don’t want to be vulnerable. I’m afraid I might be embarrassed or hurt. • I’mshy, awkward, or just don’t really know howto make real friendships.

Making friends is a skill you can learn.

Hereare some tips: #1- Be friendly #3- Listen • Simply looking up, smiling, • Instead of thinking about what and saying hello can be a you are going to say next, really good start, inviting listen to what they are saying. connection. • Show you are paying attention by looking at the other person instead of your phone. #2- Get the conversation started #4-Take time for people • Make statements that invite Friendships most o en form as others in using open-ended people spend time together questions. repeatedly. “Tell me about your family.” • Say “yes” when other students “What was your high school invite you toeat, play a game, or like?” watch a movie. “How was your very first week • Initiate/invite others to do an at Pepperdine?” activity.

Address conflict early and directly, but without being overly confrontational

Here are a couple frameworks and examples that will help you.

“I feel ___________ when you _________. I would like for you to ________.”

Like:

“I’m alittle frustratedwith the way you’ve beensetting your alarm so earlyin the morning, but then pushing snooze 10 times.Would you mind setting it later and getting up a er the first alarm?I really need my sleep.”

Deal with your social anxiety Some people get nervous in social situations. The good news is this can be resolved. Contact the Counseling Center and tell them you want to learn how to not be nervous in social settings and they will help you. Scan the QR code to visit their website!

Want to talk more about how to develop friends or troubleshoot challenges?

Talk to a relationship IQ coach!

Want to meet others with a shared interest?

Join a club!

empathy

Empathy is not feeling sorry for someone, that’s sympathy. Empathy is understanding another’s perspective.