10 Simple Ways Community Support Can Strengthen Your Health

Healthy habits are easier to build when you feel supported. That is not just a feel-good idea. Research shows that social connection is linked to better physical health, mental health, and long-term wellbeing.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), social connection can improve health outcomes and help people stick with healthy behaviors over time.
https://www.cdc.gov/social-connectedness/about/index.html

Community support does not have to mean group workouts or big commitments. Small, everyday connections can make habits easier to start and easier to restart.

If you are participating in the Healthier Texas Community Challenge, support is already built into the experience through shared goals, daily check-ins, and community participation.
Learn more about the Community Challenge.

Here are 10 realistic ways community support can strengthen your health, even in a busy life.

1. Share your goal with one person

Telling someone what you are working on increases follow-through. It can be as simple as saying you want to move more, drink more water, or eat more vegetables.

A study from Dominican University of California found that writing goals down and adding accountability check-ins improved goal achievement.
https://scholar.dominican.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1002&context=psychology-faculty-conference-presentations

If you want an easy accountability anchor, invite a friend, coworker, or family member to join you in the Community Challenge.
Register here.

2. Check in once a week

Support does not need to happen every day to matter. A weekly check-in helps you reflect, adjust, and stay focused.

Harvard Health reports that strong relationships and social support are associated with better health and longevity.
https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/the-health-benefits-of-strong-relationships

Many participants use weekly progress reviews inside the Community Challenge as a natural check-in point.
Explore Challenge support resources.

3. Do the same habit at the same time

You do not have to do it together. Simply knowing someone else is also working on the habit can increase motivation.

Research on habit formation shows that repeating behaviors in a consistent context supports long-term habit development.
https://repositorio.ispa.pt/bitstream/10400.12/3364/1/IJSP_998-1009.pdf

Daily step goals and Daily Quests in the Community Challenge help provide this structure.
Learn how it works.

4. Encourage effort, not perfection

Healthy habits last longer when effort is celebrated instead of judged.

The American Psychological Association highlights that self-compassion supports wellbeing and sustainable behavior change.
https://www.apa.org/monitor/2016/09/ce-corner

The Community Challenge rewards consistency and participation, not perfection.
Learn how points work.

5. Ask for help when you need it

Support works best when it goes both ways. Asking for help can make habits feel less overwhelming.

The CDC notes that reaching out and staying connected improves wellbeing and resilience.
https://www.cdc.gov/social-connectedness/improving/index.html

If you need help with the app or tracking, participant support is available.
View the participant support guide.

6. Join a shared challenge

Shared challenges create connection and motivation. Seeing others work toward similar goals helps habits stick.

Group-based health efforts have been shown to improve engagement and consistency.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6125130/

This shared momentum is the foundation of the Community Challenge.
Join the Challenge.

7. Talk openly about challenges

Setbacks are normal. Talking about them helps people restart instead of quitting.

Habit research shows that missing a day does not undo progress.
Read more about habit consistency.

If something feels off, the troubleshooting guide can help you reset.
View app help.

8. Share meals or movement

Cooking together, walking with someone, or sharing movement builds connection and routine.

The World Health Organization identifies social and community context as a key factor in health.
https://www.who.int/health-topics/social-determinants-of-health

9. Encourage someone else

Encouraging others often strengthens your own commitment.

The CDC highlights that supportive relationships strengthen community resilience.
https://www.cdc.gov/social-connectedness/promoting/index.html

You can also connect your account to your employer or school district to support your group.
Learn how to add an organization.

10. Remember you are not alone

Even on hard days, knowing others are trying too can help you keep going.

Harvard Health links strong social connection with better health and longevity.
https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/the-health-benefits-of-strong-relationships

When you join the Community Challenge, you are joining a statewide effort toward better health.
Get started here.

Showing up matters more than doing it perfectly

Healthy habits are not about doing everything right. They are about showing up, restarting when needed, and leaning on support along the way.

If you have not joined the 2026 Community Challenge yet, you can start today:
https://txcommunitychallenge.org/register/

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