Friday, March 24, 2023 l No. 12
Contributors: Iwalola Awoyinka, PhD candidate; Melinda Stolley, PhD; Sally Hegwood Vliet, MA
Iwalola Awoyinka, MPH, Doctoral Candidate, Public and Community Health, Medical College of Wisconsin
Melinda Stolley, PhD, Professor; Associate Director Prevention & Control, Cancer Center, Medical College of Wisconsin
Looking to improve your health? Make a friend!
Most of us have heard that humans are social creatures, but did you know these social relationships are actually good for your health? Not only is there emotional benefit to relationships, there is also strong evidence supporting the importance of these relationships for our physical health and longevity.
Why is that? Relationships provide social support. According to the National Institutes of Health, social support is a "network of family, friends, neighbors, and community members that is available to a person in times of need to give psychological, physical, and financial help."
People with greater social connection, that is those with broad social networks (think friends, family, work, and/or church) and strong social support, have:
- Lower levels of anxiety and depression
- Improved recovery from illness or injury
- Less chance of getting respiratory infections
- Better quality of life among other benefits
In fact, studies that have followed people over years or decades have found that being socially connected can increase our survival by as much as 50%. Importantly, individuals with more social connections and social support who are facing health challenges like cancer, heart disease, and even joint replacement have better quality of life and physical health outcomes than those with smaller networks and less support.
This evidence is further supported by studies that look at the impact of the lack of social connections. Decades of research across multiple disciplines has found that a lack of social connections can be bad for our health. Being lonely (feeling alone) or socially isolated (lacking access to connections) is associated with increased risk for heart disease, stroke, malnutrition, frailty, and premature death. In fact, being socially disconnected can be as bad for your health as obesity or lack of physical activity. Though there is a lot of strong evidence about the importance of social connections, scientists are still looking to understand how relationships help improve our health.
Want to learn more about social connection? Check out this TedX with Dr. Julianne Holt-Lundstad: "Is Social Disconnection Comparable to Smoking?"
Wondering how you can get more connected?
The good news is, social connection is about the feeling of being connected, not necessarily the number of people you are connected to. This means that as long as you are feeling some sense of connection, you are gaining the benefits. That said, if you are looking to get more involved, here are some tips:
- Find groups related to activities you enjoy. Whether it is reading, gardening, hiking, or playing sports - see if you can find a space to connect with others that share this interest. Online groups offer similar benefits, so this can also be a good place to start. Remember, it is about you feeling connected, so do what works for you.
- Consider volunteering! Shared work can help build bonds, and allows you to support your community, which can also be a positive boost.
- Reach out and say hello to folks already in your network. Sometimes we don't need new connections, and instead just need to put some energy in to existing ones.
Plant-based Inspiration
Want to learn more about the plant-based lifestyle, and the benefits to human and environmental health? Check out Dr. Jacobsohn's recent appearance on the Well, Well, Well... podcast by MCW's Office of Student Health and Wellness!
Interested in cooking up some crowd favorites for your community and/or family? Head over to Oh She Glows to check out her quick and easy recipe section for some plant-based inspiration!
Cool Food Pledge Do you work at a Froedtert hospital or will you be visiting one? Be sure to check out the food options and look for the Cool Food logo. Froedtert recently took the Cool Food Pledge, and is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions via the food they serve.
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