Relationships for Improved Physical Health
Loneliness has more of an impact on early death than obesity. It increases a person’s chance of premature death by 14%. These are just 2 of the findings recorded by, Professor of Psychology, John Cacioppo, at the University of Chicago.
It may seem hard to fathom how someone can be isolated in this day and age when we’re all connected every hour of the day, worldwide. And yet there are many people, especially the elderly who experience loneliness and continually being in need to connect socially boosts stress and inflammation, which diminish our physical and
mental health.
Lisa F. Berkman and S. Leonard Syme studied 7000 men and women in Alameda, California. The study began in 1965 and lasted for nine years. They say their study led them to the fact that “people who were disconnected from others were roughly three times more likely to die during the nine-year study than people with strong social ties.”
This decline in social ties is one of the reasons behind the increase in isolation, loneliness and lack of close friends and confidantes. In 2004, a sociological research carried out by Emma Seppala at the Stanford Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education showed that people are finding less and less friends in whom they can confide.
Some of the symptoms of loneliness and social disconnectedness are:
• Not getting quality sleep
• Elevated blood pressure
• Increase levels of the stress hormone, cortisol
• Reduced functioning of the immune system
• Higher levels of depression
• Mood swings
• Lack of self-care
• Social isolation
• Missed doctor appointments
We are Social Beings
No matter how independent we like to make ourselves out to be, humans are fundamentally social beings. We have a desire to belong, to form a connection with others, to be accepted, and most importantly, to be understood and loved. We may have successful careers, money, power, fame; we may feel strength at the fact that we depend on no one for our success.
But having a social connection – one that’s tangible and real – is the basis of our most basic, human needs. As Harvard Women’s Health Watch reports, “Dozens of studies have shown that people who have satisfying relationships with family, friends and their community are happier, have fewer health problems, and live longer.”
One reason for this could be that healthy social connections help diminish the damage that stress and inflammations can bring. Having strong social ties to others can help cultivate “a sense of meaning and purpose in life.”
Dr. Seppala writes in her 2016 book, The Happiness Track, “People who feel more connected to others have lower levels of anxiety and depression. Moreover, studies show they also have higher self-esteem, greater empathy for others, are more trusting and cooperative and, as a consequence, others are more open to trusting and cooperating with them.”
Another benefit of having well-rounded social connections is how they affect our lifestyle choices. Take this example; if your friends prefer a healthy diet, then you’ll be less likely to eat junk food.
Studies show that we are creatures of habit, which means that if you eat take-out 7 days out of the week, you’ll gradually decrease your dependence on it if your friends don’t follow the same routine.
Another booster of physical health is finding social activities where you can help out others. Assisting in classrooms, helping at a soup kitchen or a food drive – all these activities allow you to connect with others, establish new friendships and negate counter feelings of loneliness.
It’s by helping others that we acquire meaningful connections with those around us through acts of kindness. We are in essence social beings, and in so doing, we’re helping our brains into releasing endorphins, also known as the “helper’s high.” It reduces stress and enhances feelings of self-worth and confidence.
Also, there was a study published in the Journal of Health Psychology in 1999 that found that those who volunteered regularly had a 44% reduction in premature death.
3 Aspects of Social Connectivity
Professor Cacioppo has identified 3 main aspects of connectivity linked to good physical health for people of all ages.
In order to improve social connectivity and negate feelings of loneliness, try the following:
• Intimate: this type of connection stems from being in a relationship with someone who enables you to be who you are. Healthy relationships help nurture us, help us grow and become better people.
• Relational: this connection comes from being in regular contact with people, with face-to-face dialogue and in a relationship that is mutually rewarding.
• Collective: this connection comes from being part of a group, collective aim or goal beyond the scope of one person.
On a final note, isolation doesn’t constitute physical seclusion, but rather a subjective feeling of extreme loneliness.
Many people living alone aren’t necessarily lonely. Nonetheless, it can be reduced by making an effort each day to tap into the 3 aspects of social connectivity.