The 30 Days to Pain-Free Challenge:

Day 7 – Stay Socially Connected

I hope at this point that you are actively implementing the basic yet powerful health-promoting behaviors I have covered thus far.  It’s all about returning to the fundamentals as coaches would say, to get back into top form.  Take the emphasis/dependency off medications, nutritional supplements, fad diets, and even doctor and therapist visits, and return to the fundamentals:  sticking to a life-affirming mindset, getting regular physical activity, making wholesome food central to your diet; avoiding toxins, and making time for leisure to balance stress.

It’s much harder for the body to get sick and deteriorate if these behaviors are integrated into your everyday routine.  If you have been neglecting one or more of these pillars of health in your life, the good news is that your body has a remarkable ability to recover if you choose to make those changes long-term, starting now.  Health can be like a dormant seed in dry, mineral-depleted soil that can sprout if just given enough water, nutrients and sunshine.  Yes, you can resurrect strength, mobility, vitality and mental sharpness by returning to the aforementioned health fundamentals.

Why Social Connectedness is Important to Health– It’s in the Genes

The last, and Seventh Pillar of Health is one that may not seem that important, but its role in health maintenance is backed by medical research– social well-being: developing and maintaining positive interactions with other people and with local and global communities.

Humans are clearly a herd species.  We don’t do as well going solo–even those who think they prefer to be alone.  Evidence that our human ancestors lived in tribes is in the fossil record and the earliest records of civilization, which include hieroglyphics and cave paintings.  It was necessary for our species to live in clans/ tribes in order to survive and thrive.  This means millions of years of evolution designed us with tribal living as the behavioral template, so to speak (as opposed to solitary animals like sabre tooth tigers).  Spanning eons, psychological patterns of behavior transferred from generation to generation; behavior molded by interaction between members of the species.  If that component of our life is removed, our body doesn’t work as well; or, health isn’t at its full potential.

The evidence for the need for social connectedness is observable all around you:

• In the business world, those who establish strong connections with others have resources to turn to, and tend to be more successful in life.
• Loneliness has been tied to depression, anxiety, and ill health. It is especially acute among the elderly.  One study found that loneliness and depression increased the risk for coronary heart disease and stroke.
• Virtually all mass shooters were found to have a socially isolated life. They had few to no close friends to offer support, and they struggled to fit in society.
• On the positive note, people who regularly relate to others tend to have higher spirits and a more positive outlook on their life, which is necessary in order to maintain Pillar of Health #1, maintaining a life-affirming mindset that drives your behaviors.

Don’t get me wrong – I’m not saying you should like everyone.  There are obviously some humans to avoid.  The point is that your health– not just your mental health but also your physical health—will be better if you have positive interaction with others, regularly, compared to being alone and isolated.

Day 7 Action Step:  Actively seek and maintain social connection.  If you are already a social person, this pillar is propping your health up; keep it going.

If you are insular, then I suggest taking active steps to meet new people, or get to know better the ones you already know and like, like inviting them over for a barbecue.  The key word is active.  Most people wait for others to approach them, and nothing happens and they stay unconnected, for decades.

Some ideas:

• Join a MeetUp group in your area centered on an activity you like such as hiking or wine tasting.
• Form a social group on a neighborhood site like Nextdoor.
• Volunteer some of your time at non-profits
• Join one of your city’s oversight boards

…and remember, make an effort to get to know the people you meet!  Don’t wait for them to approach you.

Humans tend to wear a mask in public—they’ll talk banter, but forming closer connections takes time.  The deeper relationships are the ones that trigger those primitive, social connection genes that boost your health, so if you can form a small circle of friends who are at his level, your long-term health will benefit.

Lastly, make an entry in your journal about your thoughts on social connectedness– how does it change your mood and outlook when you are engaging with people you like, and who like you?  How might this affect your health?

You Can Do It,