Did you know that people who have strong social connections are happier and healthier? Recent studies show that having good relationships with others is important for our wellbeing. Over the last few years, many of us have stayed apart from family and friends because of social distancing. But what effect has this had on us?
Social connection means feeling close and having a sense of belonging with other people. It doesn’t matter how old you are, what your gender is, or where you come from—everyone needs to feel connected. When we have positive relationships, we feel happy and safe.
We feel connected when we interact with people around us. This could be in person, on the phone or online. These interactions might be with family, friends, co-workers, neighbors or others in our community.
The Covid-19 pandemic showed us how important social connection is. When we couldn’t see our loved ones, many of us felt stressed, lonely and isolated. Having good social relationships can do more than just make us feel happy. They can also improve our mental, emotional and physical health. People with strong social connections tend to have:
Staying connected can also be good for your heart. When we have lower anxiety and depression, our heart health improves. Studies show that people over 50 who feel lonely have a 27% higher risk of heart disease. While loneliness is more common in older adults, anyone can feel lonely at any age.
As life returns to normal, it’s important to make connecting with others a priority. Here are five simple ways to build connection:
There are places in the world known as the ‘Blue Zones’ where people live much longer than average. These include Ikaria in Greece, Sardinia in Italy, Okinawa in Japan, Loma Linda in California, and Nicoya in Costa Rica. People in these areas have strong family, spiritual, and social networks, which contribute to their long, healthy lives. For more information on Blue Zones, visit https://www.bluezones.com/
Remember, it’s not just about how many people you know but the quality of your relationships. Try different ways to connect and see what makes you feel happiest. Spending time with people who make you feel valued can give you a sense of belonging and improve your overall health and wellbeing.
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