(c) 2008 Konstantin Koss

No man is an island unto himself, which explains why people feel the need to communicate, interact and form strong relationships with other people. With social wellness, a person will have the capability to socialize, be confident and function normally with other people. The lack of social wellness often leads to anti-social behavior and causes inability to adjust in social surroundings.

*What is Social Wellness?*

Social wellness refers to the relationships and connections we have with others. It also refers to our capability to build and maintain relationships, develop intimacy with family and friends and manage our feelings and emotions. Social Wellness Group Image

Social wellness is an important element in every person’s life, primarily because it helps him recognize his natural interdependence with others, regardless of the relationship. A person who is well-adjusted on a social level is capable of making friends, offering support to others and becoming a productive member of the society he lives in.

Social wellness also encourages a person to focus on other people’s needs and make his contribution for the greater good of the community. It also helps her maximize and share her life experiences.

*Indications of Social Wellness*

There are certain standards with which our social wellness is known and measured. These include:

-positive relationships and interaction with other people

-ability to build and nurture relationships

-ability to empathize and care

-ability to function in social situations

-willingness to accept other people’s attention and care

*Measuring Your Social Wellness*

There are several factors that determine the state of your social wellness. These are:

-the intention you have to give time for socialization with family, friends and acquaintances

-the quality of your relationships

-your willingness to learn about others and explore information regarding other people

-the enjoyment you feel when you spend time with other people

If any of these factors are missing in your life, it’s probably time to consider carefully what you have been doing in order to address this concern and make the proper steps to improve this area of your life.

*Creating Social Wellness in Your Life*

Nobody attains perfection in his life, mainly because life is a process and will continue to evolve. However, people can perceive perfection in terms of happiness and satisfaction. To create social wellness, here are some of the most important steps you can take:

Know your needs.

We all have unique needs. What someone might find important may seem irrelevant to you and vice versa. Learn to identify what your needs are so you don’t feel the pressure to perform in an environment you don’t enjoy or care about.

Reach out.

Offering friendship to people is a first step to social wellness. Without this initiative, it will be difficult for you to take advantage of potentially productive relationships. Consider joining groups and clubs that focus on your interests. Explore other avenues that may present certain possibilities for you, such as volunteer work and travel.

Choose your relationships.

Some relationships can take quite a toll on people. Sometimes, it could come from experiences with an insincere friend, an abusive partner or an overbearing relative. The problem here is that all of these can cause unnecessary strain on your emotional state and affect your ability to function socially.

Learn to build and stay in healthy relationships. These relationships involve people you care about and who care about you and your well-being. Generally, these are people whom you feel can nurture and support your needs and whose needs you yourself can offer support for. Since there is trust and compassion, you feel safe and satisfied, two vital ingredients for social wellness.

Don’t feel the pressure to conform.

This is a rather tricky step because often, conformity is required in the society we live in. However, cooperating with standards and mores doesn’t necessarily mean changing yourself and becoming a person you are not. Everybody’s different and it’s our job to accept that.

When trying to conform, you’ll find that the pressure to change yourself will affect you in many ways, all of them negative.

Learn to communicate effectively.

You can only do so much about hiding your feeling and thoughts. Being able to communicate well is a vital component of social wellness because this is generally how you initiate relationships in the first place.

Make it a practice to constantly work on your social connections and soon you will have an abundance of what we call “social wellness”

Many people misunderstand what social skills are – and what they’re not. Here’s a quick look at a few common myths and some information on what social skills really are.

Myth #1:

People who like talking are interesting and have good social skills.

False.

Verbosity isn’t a social skill. In fact, it can damage one’s social popularity and result in avoidance by others. Such over-talkative individuals may be seen as:

- self-centered: most of their monologue is about themselves, their opinions, their activities, etc.

- rude: they monopolize the conversation without letting others contribute or participate

- selfish: their incessant talk shows little respect for the listener’s time and interests

- boring: loquacious individuals tend to include too much trivial information that is irrelevant and uninteresting to the listener.

The number of words spoken does not necessarily reflect good-quality conversation nor an ability to effectively interact with others. People are interesting when they have something worthwhile to say and are able to engage in a discussion. Good social skills include the ability to carry on a conversation without dominating it and to encourage others to participate.

Myth #2:

Introverts are socially unskilled individuals.

False.

The elements of good social skills are the same for everyone. Both introverts and extroverts alike can have superb social skills or, alternatively, very poor social skills. Skills such as listening, conversing, remembering names, showing common courtesies, and giving good feedback require attentiveness from anyone who displays good social skills, regardless of whether they’re an introvert or an extrovert. A lack of such attentiveness shows a general lack of social skills.

Introverts who have refined their interpersonal skills have techniques to follow when in social situations, and those who continue to improve their professional and personal relationships are highly socially skilled.

Myth #3:

A good education and hard work are all anyone needs to succeed in a career and in life. Good social skills aren’t important.

False.

A solid education and work or personal experience are undoubtedly key factors that contribute to success. Knowing how to perform a job function, managing the tactics of a plan or having technical knowledge of machinery or equipment qualifies the individual for the position.

However, as the individual progresses in her career and life, the manner in which she interacts with others – and the quality of that interaction – plays an important role in determining the degree of success she attains. There are always others who have input and an impact on the ease or difficulty she will face when seeking career advancement and development.

Those with highly developed social skills understand the importance and value of their relationships. They realize that while having the appropriate education or experience is essential, social skills are paramount when seeking ongoing career opportunities.

Myth #4:

People with poor social skills are aloof, uncaring and indifferent.

False.

Individuals who have poor social skills may, in fact, caring and interested. It’s unfortunate that their lack of social skills results in them being misunderstood and negatively labelled. The misrepresentation that these individuals incur is caused by their inability to know what to say and how to act or behave in social situations. Often, they lack the necessary skills to effectively express themselves and communicate in ways that show support, encouragement and friendliness.

To be understood as the person they truly are, and to avoid being mistaken for someone they’re not, they need to acquire good social skills that allow others to recognize their positive attributes. These individuals simply need assistance and guidance to know what to do and how to interact effectively in social situations. There are many methods and techniques that can help individuals learn these simple skills and easily implement them in everyday life.

What are Social Skills?

Social skills are a collection of verbal communication techniques and non-verbal actions that we use to interact and connect with others.

Strong social skills include (among others):

- active listening

- knowing how to greet others

- conversing and making small talk

- building a friendly rapport

- complimenting others

- offering praise and encouragement

- showing support and understanding

- acknowledging others

- saying ‘thank you’

Social skills can be learned by anyone and most skills are easy to integrate into daily life. Sometimes all it takes is to be aware of an action, such as saying ‘thank you’ or remembering someone’s name. Other times it’s breaking a poor habit, like interrupting someone when they’re speaking. Then there are some social skills that involve learning new techniques, such as giving constructive feedback and making small talk.

Good social skills are key to establishing, maintaining and growing all relationships – at work, at home and in the community.

 

This article will tackle about Social Security Death Benefits, in matters of its purpose, coverage and entitlement, including the value of Attorney representation in claims of this sort.

A good way to start would be to discuss significant points regarding Social Security Death Benefits.

Social Security Death Benefits

Everyone who works in the United States is mandated or required by law to pay into Social Security. Upon occurrence of circumstances such as disability or upon retirement, these benefits are paid out to the person who contributed into Social Security. This is normally how the system works.

Specifically, when a member dies, the benefits that he/she are entitled for or was receiving does not expire with his/her death. Instead, they are passed on or transferred to certain eligible members of his/her family. The benefits that the surviving family will get are capped as survivor’s benefits.

Under the Social Security guidelines, if a person worked, paid Social Security taxes and have earned good amount of work credits, any eligible members of the person’s surviving family can be entitled for survivors benefit upon his death.

The number of years a benefactor needs to work for their family to be eligible for Social Security survivor benefits depends on his/her age when he or she dies. The younger a person is, the fewer years he or she needs to work. However, no one needs more than 10 years of work to be fully insured or eligible for any Social Security benefit.

Eligible Survivors

The rules are more complex in this matter. However, as a general overview these people can receive Social Security death benefits, given any of the following conditions:



Your spouse (full benefits upon retirement, reduced benefits at age 60, and full benefits for disabled individuals 50 and older)

Your spouse at any age, who is taking care of your child who is under age 16 or disabled

Your ex-spouse age 60 or over (50 or older if disabled) who was married to you for at least 10 years

Your ex-spouse at any age, who is taking care of your child who is under age 16 or disabled

Dependent parents who are 62 or older

Disabled children of any age

Unmarried children under 18, up to the age of 19 who are still in high school full time

Stepchildren, grandchildren, and adopted children (circumstances vary with these survivors)



Benefit Amount

The amount of Social Security death benefits that a survivor can receive depends on several different factors.

However, the benefits that an eligible family will receive monthly from survivor benefits depend on the decedent-member’s average lifetime earnings. That means, the higher the earnings, the higher the benefits. In turn, the monthly benefit is equal to a percentage of the decedent-member’s basic Social Security benefits. The percentage depends on the survivor’s age and relationship to the decedent-member.

This is all too complex and complicated. For better light on this matter, you can confer with a Social Security Attorney to give you a clearer and detailed account.

Lump-sum benefit

If the decedent-member has accumulated enough work credits, his or her surviving spouse or minor children may receive a lump-sum benefit of $255, if they meet certain requirements.

For the surviving spouse to be eligible, he/she must have been living with the decedent-member at the time of the latter’s death, or if living apart, must have been receiving benefits based on the decedent-members earnings record.

If the decedent-member is not married at the time of his or her death, the death benefits may be divided among his/her children who are eligible.

Actions Needed

After the death of the decedent-member, it is significant that survivors take all the essential steps to determine the availability of Social Security Death Benefits. On this score, it is relevant to consider the hiring of a Social Security Death Benefits Lawyer who is adeptly knowledgeable with claims and compensation under the Social Security.

Because of the complexities in the procedure of filing a death benefit application, the surviving family may necessitate the aid of a Social Security representative in order to have better chances of approval. In Los Angeles, there is a considerable number of qualified Social Security Lawyers who can help you in this respect.

Closing tune

With the great depression brought about by the death of a loved one, there is a reason to feel low and a great reason to move on. For the surviving family members, when you happen to be in this situation, be quick to respond in order to get the rightful Social Security benefits at the soonest. For more help and assistance, seek Attorney’s services.

Our expert Los Angeles social security lawyers are knowledgeable with issues such as death benefit claims. For more information, you can log on to our website and have your case evaluated.