Be kind to your community: Prioritize meaningful and positive relationships

Life can get busy, but it's important to make time for what really matters – connecting with friends and family who support you. Relationships can encourage you to embrace and pursue opportunities that enhance well-being, broaden and build resources and foster a sense of purpose and meaning in life. It’s great for your mood and can also improve longevity!

When you surround yourself with healthy and happy people, you’re more likely to be healthy and happy too. Stay in touch with those who lift you up.

Tips to keep in touch:

• Set reminders for birthdays of family members and friends 
• Practice wellness activities together like walking or taking a yoga class
  • Did you know? Accountability buddies can create conditions that foster personal commitment.
• Join a local faith-based organization
• Get together weekly or monthly with your loved ones
  • Try game or movie night!
  • Attend a community event or eat at a new, local restaurant
• Reach out to a loved one and let them know you’re thinking of them
  • Pick up the phone, send them a text or write them a note
• Establish family dinner nights
• Share good news with family and friends and celebrate each other’s successes

Connect at our monthly Social Hour. Visit bchd.org/socialhour for events.

Try these 36 Questions for Increasing Closeness at ggia.berkeley.edu/practice/36_questions_for_increasing_closeness

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Be kind to your community: Support my community as a volunteer

"We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” – Winston Churchill

Give the gift of time and donate a few hours to a good cause. You'll help create a healthy beach community and improve your health at the same time. Volunteer 100 hours or more each year and reap the maximum health benefits from volunteering such as higher rates of life satisfaction, social connections and longevity!

• Donate your time and find volunteer opportunities at BCHD at bchd.org/volunteer
• Join a service organization or club
• Volunteer with a friend or family member
• Join a mentorship program
  • Did you know? Mentoring builds greater resiliency through support to navigate challenges, meaningful actions toward goal achievement and prioritizing self-care.

To learn about BCHD volunteer opportunities, visit bchd.org/volunteer.
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Be kind to your community: Reach out to someone for support

Allowing others to show they care for us is as important as providing care for someone in need. Accepting care is an act of compassion to yourself and others.

Offer help:

• Donate to those in need whether it be donating clothes, toys, blood or money
• Learn how to identify someone who may be in emotional distress and how to help at bchdfiles.com/docs/bchd/mental-health/KnowTheSigns_TalkSheet_generic.pdf
• Assist a co-worker with a project or a housemate with chores
• Show someone you care: Watch “How Long-Forgotten Research is Being Used to Help Prevent Suicides Today” video at my.happify.com/hd/how-long-forgotten-research-is-being-used-to-help-prevent-suicides-today

While it’s important to be compassionate towards others, it’s equally if not more important to be compassionate to yourself. How to be self-compassionate and practice self-care:

• Take a hot bath or shower before bedtime
• Treat yourself to a nice meal
• Give yourself time to downshift and unwind at the end of the day
• Make time for your hobbies
• Identify people who give you comfort and security and reach out to them

Read “7 Ways to Ask for Help When You’re Feeling Down” at my.happify.com/hd/7-ways-to-ask-for-help-when-you-are-feeling-down

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