Stanford
Student Affairs

How is Life Tree(ting) You?: Nurturing Your Mental Health: The Power of Connections

When we think about caring for our mental health and well-being, we often hear about staying hydrated, eating healthy meals, making time to exercise, and getting good sleep, but what about fostering connection? Social connection is an essential part of our mental health that is often overlooked. Discover the benefits of connection on mental health and how you can begin fostering relationships that last.

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How Relationships Shape Our Well-Being

Whether it be a friend, loved one, coach, or mentor, relationships provide tremendous benefits to our mental health:

  • Offer emotional support – they can listen to your problems, validate your feelings, or cheer you up 
  • Enhance resilience to stress – when you feel supported, your body releases oxytocin, which functions to decrease anxiety levels
  • Foster a sense of belonging 
  • Prevent feelings of loneliness and isolation 
  • Help with personal growth – they can assist you in making changes and hold you accountable. You may even inspire them to make changes with you!

Tips for Fostering Connections

  • Forge a relationship with yourself first! Ever heard the saying “love yourself before loving others”? 
  • Quality > quantity. Having one or two people who truly get you helps your mental health more than having a ton of friends. 
  • Say “yes” to the invite. Push yourself to try new things with others, even if it doesn’t sound exciting at first. 
  • Pursue your interests. Struggling to find “your people”? Join a group or hobby where you can make new connections while doing the things you enjoy. Plus, this new interest can serve as an “anchor” for your friendship and trigger for connection.

Staying in Touch

Life inevitably gets busy and for those who are away from friends or loved ones, maintaining relationships from afar can be difficult. Keep your relationships alive with these tips:

  1. Be explicit and intentional: Express your commitment to the friendship and actively reach out to show you value them. 
  2. Don’t hesitate to reach out: Take the initiative to break communication ruts, even if it feels intimidating to be the first to reach out. Chances are the other person is feeling the same way, is just as busy, or going through a challenging time. 
  3. Keep it simple: If planning a trip or activity is too much at the moment, a quick check-in text or 5-minute call will reap the same benefits.
  4. Address conflicts openly: Don’t avoid conflicts. Address them openly and honestly using “I” statements to express feelings without accusation.
  5. Promote reciprocity: Address imbalances in effort by expressing your desire for more communication. Reciprocity is key; remember that your friend values you, too.

Investing in relationships is an investment in your mental health. By developing these connections with friends, family, and mentors, you can create a strong support system that will contribute to your overall well-being and make the ride worthwhile.

Written by: Chase Klavon, Class of 2025 and Edward Tran, Class of 2023

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Resources

Stanford Resources

  • Well-Being Coaching: A Well-Being coach can help you cultivate the internal and external resources to live a healthy, vibrant life, manage stress, shift your beliefs and behaviors, and form meaningful connections with others. Book a session today.
  • Connectedness & Health: The Science of Social Connection Stanford Medicine: Learn more about social connection, the benefits of high connection, the dangers of low connection, and how you can boost your social connections for your mental health and well-being.  
  • CAPS Groups and Workshops: Facilitated by CAPS staff, these groups and workshops focus on a variety of mental health and well-being topics, and offer a safe space to share your experiences and get support from your peers along the way. Joining a group or workshop with other students can be beneficial by increasing feelings of connectedness and understanding.
  • Office of Student Engagement: This office houses and manages all the student organizations on campus: there are over 600! Joining an organization can help you meet others who have similar interests as you!
  • Community and Belonging at Stanford: Find your people by exploring the vibrant student communities on campus, including Cardinal Recovery, Centers for Equity Community and Leadership, the Office for Religious and Spiritual Life, Weiland Health Initiative, and more!

Additional Resources