Why social bonds reduce stress
Humans are social beings. When we experience stress, community acts like a shield.
A supportive conversation, a listening ear, or the feeling of not being alone changes how much strain we feel.
How community works
- Emotionally: Closeness and belonging have a calming effect.
- Practically: Support takes the weight off your shoulders.
- Psychologically: Sharing creates perspective and new solutions.
- Biologically: Social contacts lower stress hormones and promote happiness hormones like oxytocin.
Resources in your environment
- Family and friends.
- Colleagues and teams.
- Clubs, groups, or communities.
- Digital networks – when used consciously and mindfully.
First steps
- Talk about stress instead of hiding it.
- Consciously nurture your relationships – even through small gestures.
- Seek out spaces where you feel safe and supported.
- Be a resource yourself: giving support also strengthens you.
Your next step
Stress is harder to bear alone – in community, it becomes lighter.
The bestforming App supports you with this:
- with reflection tools that make your most important contacts visible,
- with routines that remind you to nurture your relationships,
- with challenges that promote social support.
Get the app and use the power of your community as stress protection.