Social Connections: Genuine vs. Pseudo

It is the season of love, and connections are everywhere we look. We are seeing them on our TV, social media, in our communities, and these connections are as vital to our well being as a routine or feeling safe. Many people in the United States experience feelings of loneliness regularly. Social connections are vital to human biology, and when someone feels like they don’t have a social network it can cause an increased risk of physical and mental health problems. Love, belonging, and connection gives a human’s life purpose. Genuine connections with others may look a little different than you currently think, and making them isn’t always second nature. At Being Human Group we understand that life is busy, and social engagement can be difficult for some of us. We are all only human after all.

What is a genuine connection?

With the age of social media many of us rely on technology for social engagement, the news, advice, and so on. This has affected the way that humans interact with each other, and puts up barriers when it comes to the trial and error process of engaging on a human level. We have stepped away from being okay with awkwardness, engaging just for the sake of it, and lost our ability to know how to genuinely connect with another human being. This is to say that this is due to no fault of our own. We understand life is busy, and the world doesn’t always feel safe right now. On the other hand we do know how beneficial to a person's well being social connection is, so let us give you some tips and information to help you build some genuine connections.

Genuine connections look like:

• The connection is built slowly over time through small mutual interactions

• Effort, and intentions within the relationship are mutual

• Work is given to get to know and understand a person

• Both of you feel a sense of belonging when together

• Interactions are nonperformative, and you can be your true self

• Having emotional safety is a key component

Mental and Physical Benefits

Since we are hard wired to need social support and connections they can have huge benefits on our mental and physical health. You can think of these connections as something used to protect us.

• Creates a sense of being loved, belonging, cared for, and valued.

• Helps decrease the risks of serious chronic illnesses like dementia, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, etc.

• More likely to live a longer, healthier life.

• Resiliency against stress, anxiety and depression.

• Improves quality of sleep.

How to create genuine connections in the digital age:

Using social media as a way to connect with others is not an inherently negative thing. We just want to make sure that we are connecting with others through other means as well. Make sure that you make a consistent effort to connect with the people that mean something to you. This can be with a phone call, texting, social media, or in person. Try to make 1 social connection with others every day. If you enjoy meeting people online try to set up face to face meetings with them as well either through an online platform like zoom or face to face. When connecting with others, share safely, honestly, and openly. Make social plans and put in the work that these social connections need and deserve. Nurture the connections that already feel safe to you, but try to engage in new ones. Lastly, be okay with it not always blossoming into something, that's going to happen sometimes. Just giving the effort really can make a difference for our well being and sense of self.

About Our Michigan Therapists

The expertly trained and compassionate therapists at Being Human Group are licensed mental health professionals offering affirming, trauma-informed care to clients across Michigan through in-person sessions in Plymouth and Grosse Ile and convenient online therapy statewide. Our team brings advanced training and lived awareness in areas like trauma recovery, anxiety, depression, LGBTQIA+ mental health, relationship concerns, and life transitions, all grounded in a Health at Every Size and anti-oppressive, queer-affirming lens.  ​

When you reach out for a consultation about therapy, you are matched with a therapist whose background, specialties, and style align with your goals so you can access both practical tools for right now and deeper healing for long-term change. When you're ready, reach out and take the next step toward a more grounded, authentic life.