Chrissie Kaufmann is a group fitness instructor at the YMCA of Southwest Michigan.

When we have a need or a crisis, to whom do we turn? Who will give us a ride if our car breaks down? Who is willing to listen when we are feeling frustrated? Who gives us good advice when we are facing a big decision? Let’s take a moment to visualize these individuals.

These people make up our social support system. Positive relationships with friends, peers and family members help sustain us when life gets difficult. In fact, the stronger our human network is, the healthier we are overall.

Studies show that we reap both mental and physical benefits from a robust support system: an improved ability to cope with stress, enhanced self-esteem, lower cardiovascular risks (such as lower blood pressure) and an increased adherence to healthy behaviors.

Conversely, researchers have documented that poor social support is linked to depression and loneliness, increased risk of cardiovascular disease, alcohol use, altered brain function, and suicide.

We can improve our health and that of others by understanding the three main types of social support: instrumental, emotional and informational. Instrumental is offering tangible assistance, such as financial help or making someone a meal. Emotional support includes non-tangible ways that we care for others, like listening and spending time together. Informational means just that: being a source of reliable information when others need it.

Some people provide primarily one type of support for us; others contribute more than one. Parents often supply all three for their children. We can ask ourselves: what types of support do we give to our friends, peers and family members?

However, unexpected life events can throw us a proverbial curveball. Our current social support network may not be equipped to guide us through the new reality of a cancer diagnosis, a crippling addiction or an unexpected death.

At these times, we should remember that we are not alone. Many community organizations in our area have resources and support groups where we can find specialized assistance, at little or no cost to us.

LIVESTRONG at the YMCA is an amazing 12-week program offered free of cost to cancer survivors and their families. Participants receive informational support from trained staff, emotional support from each other and instrumental support by being able to use the YMCA facilities and equipment.

Two more great programs offered at the YMCA of Southwest Michigan are Boxing with Parkinson’s and the Get Started program. In Boxing with Parkinson’s, certified instructors teach  non-combat boxing to help individuals with Parkinson’s disease gain strength and mobility. The Get Started program is free to all members, to connect them with the YMCA resources and support that will help them reach their goals.

This Thanksgiving season, let’s take time to express our sincere thanks to the people that uplift us throughout the year. And maybe we can go one step further: we can offer specific, helpful support to a person who is going through a difficult time.