It may not come as a surprise that service members need a strong mind and body to meet mission demands. However, social fitness is also a key part of your health and well-being. The quality of your relationships with others can impact multiple areas of your life, from military performance to overall health. Learn why having healthy relationships is important for mission readiness and find tips to help strengthen your current social networks.
The Benefits of Healthy Social Ties
Social fitness involves building and maintaining healthy social connections with others. Having close relationships with family members, friends, coworkers, and other service members is beneficial. When you feel supported in meaningful relationships, you are more equipped to focus on your military duties.
Strong friendships are also good for your overall health and may help:
- Increase your sense of belonging and purpose
- Encourage healthy lifestyle choices
- Provide support during difficult times
- Prevent loneliness
- Reduce your stress
Tips to Improve Social Fitness
Whether deployed or at home, social networks can help you cope with the challenges of military life. However, as a service member, it can sometimes be challenging to build or maintain your relationships. Try these tips to help you stay close to your family, friends, and fellow service members.
Make Yourself Available. Building close relationships take time. Even with demanding or conflicting schedules, it is important to set aside time for relationships and to connect with others.
Stay Connected. At least once a day, check in with a family member, friend, coworker, or fellow service member. Text, call, video chat, or use social media to stay in touch if you are separated physically.
Attend Social Activities. Check out your Morale, Welfare and Recreation program (listed below) to find fun activities and meet new people. While deployed, try to spend some of your downtime around others – even if it's something as simple as playing a game of catch.
Develop Your Communication Skills. Communicate in a clear, confident, controlled and respectful way. During conversations, practice effective communication strategies like asking questions, showing empathy, and actively listening to others.
Build Trust. Strive to be honest and open in your relationships. To help your unit start to build group trust, find ways to have fun together, show vulnerability, and work to define your group's identity.
Show Up for Others. Look out for your friends. If you notice anyone isolating themselves, reach out to talk and try to draw them into group activities.
What Line Leaders Can Do
Line leaders play a significant role in helping service members develop strong bonds. They can help foster a sense of camaraderie and encourage supportive relationships through unit cohesion. Military leaders can also help service members develop individual social fitness by promoting a sense of purpose and a clear understanding and awareness of group mission. These tactics are just a few of the ways to build a stronger team.
As a leader, you can also spot problems early-on and intervene to prevent them from getting worse. If you notice a service member withdrawing from others, reach out and offer them support. Isolation may be a sign that someone is experiencing a psychological health concern or potentially dealing with relationship problems. By promoting strong psychological health, line leaders help service members and the unit thrive.
Additional Resources:
Sources:
- Holt-Lunstad J. (2021). Loneliness and Social Isolation as Risk Factors: The Power of Social Connection in Prevention. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine. 2021;15(5):567-573. doi:10.1177/15598276211009454
- Holt-Lunstad, J. (2021). The Major Health Implications of Social Connection. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 30(3), 251-259. https://doi.org/10.1177/0963721421999630
- Mayo Clinic. (2022, January 12). Friendships: Enrich your life and improve your health. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/friendships/art -20044860
- Military OneSource. (2019, December 21). Social Wellness. https://www.militaryonesource.mil/transition-retirement/national-guard-reserves/social-wellness/
- National Institute on Aging. (2021, January 14). Loneliness and social isolation-tips for staying connected. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/loneliness-and-social-isolation-tips-staying-connected
Updated January 2025