You may understand the importance of caring for your physical, mental, and emotional well-being, but there’s another aspect of your health you should pay equal attention to: your social wellness.

This concept relates to your ability to create meaningful connections that foster a sense of security, belonging, and trust. Beyond boosting your confidence and satisfaction, it may also boost your health in numerous unexpected ways. For instance, social interactions may help protect against isolation, which can contribute to low self-esteem, anxiety, and depression, in turn mitigating the risk of dementia.

Here are some key indicators of good social wellness.

You’re able to balance socializing
Regardless of whether you’re an extrovert or introvert, the ability to identify and balance how much alone time and social time you need—and feeling comfortable with that balance—indicates that you’re a socially healthy individual.

You have fun without feeling self-conscious
Being able to freely express yourself and fully engage with others contributes to a positive self-identity. This includes being comfortable in your communication skills, such as making eye contact, and actively listening to others.

You form strong bonds
It’s relatively easy for you to build and maintain meaningful connections with loved ones. Moreover, you feel grateful for these relationships and can express your appreciation for them. You can also distinguish between healthy and unhealthy relationships.

You are sensitive to others
You have compassion, are forgiving in nature, and possess awareness and acceptance of your own and others’ feelings. You are also adept at placing healthy boundaries regarding your needs and do not feel guilty or have the need to apologize for doing so.

For assistance enhancing this aspect of your well-being, consider reaching out to a life coach or therapist, who can guide you on developing the skills to do so.