Three Ways Our Social Circle Affects Our Health

by Kara Machowski

 

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

How many of us make a pact with ourselves that we will eat healthy, exercise, and refrain from drinking? But then when it comes to the weekend, we get a call from that number one, you know - the one that always talks you into going out for one drink? Unfortunately, that quickly turns into three or four, and before you realize you're in the Krispy Kreme drive-thru at 2 am. It's tough to make the best decision when other's around us talk us into our vices; here's some tips on helping yourself and the people you care for.

1. Healthy Relationships

   Maintaining a healthy relationship with yourself and others is key to maintaining a healthy lifestyle and keeping current goals. I'm not saying that you need to go out and make new friends who are all fitness buffs (maybe a few would help), but you should evaluate your current friendships. If your current friend is genuinely your bud, then they will skip the drinking and late-night drive-thru trips when you opt for a healthy meal outing. If they aren't willing to have a healthy outing with you, is that truly the type of relationship you want to have? See if they are steering you towards the lifestyle you wish to or from it. When you give in, you are promoting an unhealthy lifestyle to them. Be the better influence and peer pressure them into a healthier lifestyle.

2. Healthy Dates

   Start to make "healthy dates" with your friends, coffee, and a walk (where you could opt for tea with fewer calories and no dairy). If you're lucky to live in an area where there is hiking, mountain biking, a beach to swim or walk down, a city with, you know, streets, or a park, take advantage of these things, you never know, your friend may thank you for making them a healthier person! Bring them to your gym; who knows, maybe they will join, and you can have a gym buddy that amps you up.

3. Combat Peer Pressure With Positiveness

   It's not easy to keep goals, but it's also hard to do so when there's peer pressure involved. If a friend or co-worker invites you to lunch at your favorite burger spot, then let them know that you're eating healthy. You packed a lunch but will bring it with you. This may even promote your friend to eat healthier that day, seeing you do so. During parties, fill your plate full of healthy options first. You'll find that you rarely need to go back for seconds. If you're offered a drink, let them know you may have a headache coming on and you'd prefer water. In these cases, you're not actually turning anything down and are encouraging better behavior among your peers.

   Psychology states that we are partly a product of the society that we are in. Promoting your positive habits to people will help them see what they are doing that isn't healthy. If your friend (or family member) thinks that it's too expensive to cook and eat healthily, show them that they can. Cooking together is proven to help build relationships and diminish waistlines.