What are social skills
Social skills include communication skills like verbal and nonverbal communication, written communication, listening skills, and interpersonal skills (including the ability to cooperate and get along with others).
Dictionary.apa.org defines social skills as “a set of learned abilities that enable an individual to interact competently and appropriately in a given social context.” In Western cultures, common social skills include assertiveness, coping, communication and friendship-making skills, interpersonal problem solving, and the ability to regulate one’s cognitions, feelings, and behavior (dictionary.apa.org).
With better social skills come better relationships and career prospects
A person’s quality of life can be greatly impacted by one’s social skills or lack of. Friendship, relationships, and job prospects are all affected by one’s ability to communicate and interact with another.
Social skills can be affected if left unused for long periods of time.
A number of factors have affected social skills. These include changes in lifestyles nuclear families and reduced communication among families, social media and communication apps (texting instead of speaking, for example); and a reduction in face to face meetings such as from working remotely.
Studies show that people who are not regularly interacting with others risk impairing their social skills. People can suffer from skill fade as well as get feelings of anxiety and depression due to isolation, which can affect social skills.
Negative experience can increase the problem
And while some skill loss might be temporary or even minor, fear, anxiety, and social awkwardness can worsen the problem. The fear of social mishaps and awkwardness can make a person avoid social interaction, which can prolong and magnify social skill loss.
Thus, the best thing to do is to not only prevent skill fade but to prevent things that increase negative self-image. This includes negative self talk, incorrect perception of oneself, and social anxiety.
Here are a few things to do to prevent and undo the effects of social isolation on social skills:
Meditation and positive affirmation daily, and especially prior to a meeting or social interaction. The human mind has a tendency to fill with negative thoughts. Negativity can affect performance and increase social anxiety which can negatively affect social performance. Positive affirmations and expectations do the opposite, preventing anxiety and negative expectations from affecting social performance. When done just prior to a meeting or socializing event, the result is a positive mindset, which in turn produces a positive experience.
Meet or speak to someone daily. Take a few moments a day to meet or speak to someone, such as a neighbor or a friend. Daily interactions, even brief, can help improve social skills.
Listen to a video or lecture. Listening has a positive effect on language skills. Listening to a video or lecture several times a week helps improve speaking skills.
Read something positive or constructive daily. Reading is a habit related to success. Many successful people are avid readers. Reading not only helps reading skills but also improves positivity.
Write every day. The act of writing composition increases confidence in one’s abilities which in turn increases positive thinking and self-image.
Avoid complete solitude. Regularly meet and connect with others, whether they are family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, or other acquaintances.
Finally, social skills are more affected by poor self image and fear. Making the human interaction experience regular and common will help to reduce skill fade and social anxiety.
Written by Kokab Rahman.
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