Comprehensive Airman Fitness: Social wellness key to overall health

Published Dec. 22, 2010
By Airman Jared Trimarchi
Joint Base Charleston Public Affairs

JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. -- The holidays are a time to be with family. Whether that includes your relatives, friends or coworkers, it's a time when people share gifts, food and a sense of community.

Socializing can be the best part of the holidays and social fitness is one of the four pillars of Comprehensive Airman Fitness. Here in Charleston it's not just for Airmen but for the military as a whole.

"Humans are social creatures," said Ms. Brenda Edmond, 628th Medical Group Family Advocacy Outreach program manager, and a licensed clinical social worker. "We have an innate need to have a sense of belonging and to connect to other people or a larger group."

Technology has had a huge impact on the way people socialize. A conversation around a camp fire has now turned into a video chat online across oceans and continents. What was once impossible to do a few years back, has now become mundane.

People are connecting with each other in more ways now than ever before. Thanks to online socializing networks, video game communities and cell phones, Ms. Edmond said.

"Society has changed," she said. "That's how the younger population communicates. Children and teens are doing a lot less face-to-face interaction and more texting and online chatting."

Sending a text message is a speedy way to get across a short message, but there are some things that can't be said through texts.

"Emotions are much more difficult to get across than a quick message," said Maj. Patrick Pohle, 628th Medical Group Mental Health Flight commander, and Community Action Information Board executive director. "Face-to-face interaction allows an emotional response, unlike an email or text which can be easily misinterpreted."

Though online communication lacks having all aspects of human interaction, it is monumental in today's society.

"It's better to socialize online then to not socialize at all," Ms. Edmond said. "People that are introverted may go online because it's their way to communicate with people."

There are positive behaviors associated with being social.

A service member that is new to the base or the military may feel homesick, but being socially involved in base activities minimizes the loss of not being around family, Ms. Edmond said.
Just like there are ups, there are downs and not being socially active can have negative effects.

"Individuals who have a social support system are more likely to make it through a crisis," Ms. Edmond said. "It's important to have someone to talk to when you feel stressed or depressed in order to avoid serious problems."

The military offers numerous opportunities for people to get connected.

"We are opening new ways for young service members to get involved around the base," Major Pohle said. "Younger folks are more comfortable playing video games. That's why we created the Call of Duty video game tournament, to bring service members together, and to get them out of the dorms."

Another great way to connect with other people is to volunteer.

"Volunteering is an avenue you can take to become socially fit," Ms. Edmond said. "It helps you help other people, what better way to get involved?"

"What's important is being involved and having a sense of belonging," she said.

(This is the third story in a nine-part series on Comprehensive Airman Fitness.)

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