Question

Social support significantly predicts how well individuals cope with stress.

True.

False

Answer 1

True.

Social support means its a network which involves an individual's family, friends and peers who are able to support the person psychologically and emotionally .Psychologists say that a strong social support network leads to a better coping experience with stress.

Unlike a support group, social support network isn’t formalized. A person don’t have to call his  friends or family members, sit on a circle and talk about the stressful moments he is  enduring. Actually, one's quick talk with his/her parents, siblings or children, lunch break with an officemate, or counselling with a church leader are ways wherein a person breathe out one's  stress experience with social support network, and strengthen relationship with them at the same time.

Stress can be better managed when your social support network is as strong as it can be.It provides the comfort of knowing that your friends are there for you if you need them. Let's see how the social support helps to cope with the stress situation.

• A sense of Security . social support network has it all – information about stressful situation, advice on how to manage stress, and even the silence and listening ear need when a person experience burnout
• Source of Strength When a person  feel like giving up because of too much stress, social support network is there to remind the abilities possess to cope up with the stressful situation. They can personally help a person with solving problems that can’t handle themself.

• Feeling of Belongingness

  In times of stressful moments, you may feel alone and no one is there to help you. Calling a friend, your parents, your workmate or your church mate and talking about your feelings, emotions and thoughts will make you feel a lot better and will remind you that there’s always someone to comfort and support you.

  following have shown the benefit of a network of social support :

• Improving the ability to cope with stressful situations
• Alleviating the effects of emotional distress
• Promoting lifelong good mental health
• Enhancing self-esteem
• Lowering cardiovascular risks, such as lowering blood pressure
• Promoting healthy lifestyle behaviors
• Encouraging adherence to a treatment plan

Social support can be great for your stress levels, making stressful situations less damaging to your mental and physical health. Creating a circle of supportive friends may take a little effort, but it is worth it in terms of benefits to your general health and wellbeing. Creating strong relationships in your life is therefore vital for you and for those you love. You can also find out some ways in which you can cultivate social support as a stress reliever.