The Importance of Socialisation

Today I am going to discuss a topic that I feel like is usually overlooked. It’s the 'Importance of Socialisation.'

Social Platforms & Anti-Social Behaviour:

Life has become increasingly fast-paced and rushed. We have become so occupied with our work that we don’t seem to find time for each other.

When technology started taking over, we all thought it would make life easier, and in some ways, it has. But if we’re being honest, it’s also made things more complicated. Somehow, the convenience it promised turned into constant pressure.

When People Stayed Connected:

A few decades ago, people had fewer resources and gadgets, but they seemed more at peace and more content than most of us today. So what changed? If we really think about it, back then people stayed connected, and not through screens. They visited each other, sat down for tea, and chatted in small tea shops, barber shops, or at local cafés. They talked about their lives, shared their worries, gave each other advice, or just listened to each other. There was a sense of closeness, of truly being there for one another. Today, that kind of connection feels rare. Everyone’s caught up in their own world. The very apps and social media platforms we created to bring us closer have, in many ways, done the opposite. We’re always scrolling, firing off quick texts, maybe tapping out a comment or dropping a like, but when was the last time we actually sat down with someone, face-to-face, and really talked? Sadly we don't do that anymore. And the thing is, we NEED that.

Consequences of Anti-Social Behaviour:

Humans are social beings. We grow through relationships, through conversations, and through being part of something bigger than ourselves. If you take this out from our lives, we are nothing but machines, glued to our accessories, which disconnect us from our true selves. As time passes by, this disconnection starts messing with our mental health, increases stress, and even affects our physical well-being. So yes, socialising really matters, not in a surface-level, online kind of way, but in a real, human connection. Laughing together. Listening to each other or just sitting in silence if that’s what someone needs. It’s not just good for us, but it’s necessary for our well-being and for our survival.

To socialise means spending time with other people and staying connected with them in everyday life, with family members, colleagues, schoolmates, friends, and other people from your surroundings.

Socialisation includes not only communicating and empathising with others but also offering support, addressing challenges, and nurturing an environment where compassion, understanding, and mutual respect flourish. In essence, it is the art of creating a positive, emotionally enriching atmosphere in which everyone can thrive and experience a sense of collective well-being.

It’s not a secret that spending time with people we love and care about makes us feel good. But did you know there is actually a strong reasoning behind why it happens. There have been many ideas explaining this, one of which comes from Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. In the theory he outlines five pillars of human needs, ‘love and belonging’ being right in the centre. It’s a basic human need, without which we cannot survive, not for long anyway.

Socialisation has countless benefits. In my opinion, the biggest benefit of socialisation is that it helps in strengthening a person's mental health. When we meet people who know us, understand us, and care about us, naturally, meeting them makes our brain happy. And we all know that the more peace of mind a person has, the stronger his mental health will be.

A study by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health has revealed that people who have regular contact with their friends and relatives. And those who get out of their loneliness and participate in various activities with other people have a fifty percent higher chance of living longer than people who are lonely.

When a person is going through a difficult time, or suddenly a crisis hits, if there are people around him who support him in this difficult time, it becomes very easy for him to get out of this patch. Otherwise, such a person becomes very weak emotionally. As a result, symptoms like anger, irritability, and hateful behaviour start manifesting, which obviously make the situation worse for him and for others as well.

“Connection is why we're here. We are hardwired to connect with others; it's what gives purpose and meaning to our lives, and without it there is suffering.”

Like our mental and emotional health, socialisation affects our physical health as well. We all realise that a person who lives in a secluded corner will definitely spend time on a mobile, tablet, laptop, or a similar device. Or he will watch TV or play online games, etc. In any of the above cases, his screen time will increase a lot, which is very dangerous for human health.

On the other hand, just getting out of his room instead, stepping out of his house, has a positive effect on his physical health. When a person participates in various types of activities with his friends, relatives, and associates, all these things have a great impact on his mental and emotional health as well as his physical health. In fact, a study by the University of Michigan also proves that the chances of blood pressure and heart disease are reduced in men and women who do such activities.

It may seem that socialisation would be difficult for people who are lonely or who are used to just doing their job and keeping to themselves, but the reality is quite the opposite. With just a few minor adjustments in our daily routine, which I am going to explain one by one, we can socialise vigorously.

Community groups are a great way to socialise. These groups can be of various types. For example, book clubs, sports teams, or volunteering in community services, etc.

Another great way to socialise is to go out with friends & family members. Go out for dinner, take a trip, and visit each other's homes. This not only strengthens mutual relationships but also creates a kind of happiness within human nature.

Listening to and discussing each other's problems and trying to find solutions is also a great way to socialise. It is not necessary that you talk only to someone with whom you have a very good relationship. No, this exercise can be done with anyone, like by spending a few minutes with your office tea boy or janitor or colleagues at work. This method can also help in creating a relationship of respect and trust between you and those who work with you.

One of the reasons behind a person becoming lonely is that he is not able to maintain his existing relationships and is not open to new ones. Therefore, it is important that you always keep the way open for new people. This will not only help you socialise but will also make way for new experiences that will help make your life beautiful.

Socialisation: A Challenge for Introverts & Special People:

Some people are unable to socialise by nature because they are introverts or patients of anxiety or of some disorder. They are afraid of meeting people or attending an event or are afraid of gatherings & crowds. Such people are special. Life is not easy for them like ordinary people; they have to work hard to accomplish even the simplest tasks.

People with these conditions should start with small things. For example, in the beginning, start meeting people with whom you have a somewhat close relationship, i.e. very close friends, parents or children, or very close relatives, etc. Then gradually expand this circle.

Similarly, taking a walk outside the house at some point in the day can also be useful. Initially, from your house to a nearby shop or to a shopping mall or park. And then gradually increasing this distance. This will not only provide physical exercise but also help you to get out and see and observe different kinds of people.

Apart from this, start playing a sport. It is better to start playing a sport that is played with a team. For example, football and cricket. Sports, as we know, are very useful for physical and mental health. Similarly, it will also help you to mix with other people.

It is a bitter truth that socialisation is not given much importance in our society. Life has become so busy that everyone is absorbed in their own world. No one is concerned with anyone else. Nor is there any interest in anyone's happiness or sadness. The natural result of this is that we are becoming lonely with each passing day. And this loneliness is forcing us to spend more and more time on social media. And due to spending more time on social media, we have started facing many problems.

We need to understand that these things are our gadgets, not the other way around. They are created for our convenience, not for us to be bound by them. To live a healthy life, we need to balance our daily activities, digital life, and social life. We need to focus on PEOPLE around us. If we succeed in doing this, then we will not only be living a successful life but also creating a healthy society.