Background
We all became aware of the importance of social connections during the stay-at-home orders in the early days of the pandemic in 2020. We realized how much our lives revolved around social activities, and we quickly learned how the drastic decrease in social interactions affected us and those we loved.
Many of us were not aware that the importance of social engagement was not a new health concept. In fact, the World Health Organization’s 1946 definition of health stated: “A complete state of physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” Our social health has been a vital part of our overall health and wellness since the early 19th century.
Emerging Science
In 2017, AARP’s Global Council on Brain Health (GCBH) collaborated to study the effects of social connections on our brain health and the Lancet Commission report added social isolation to their list of brain health risk factors. Earlier this year, the Surgeon General of the United States released a report about the effects of loneliness and isolation on our health and well-being.
These reports recognize the importance of social connections and highlight the health dangers for people who are lonely and/or isolated. The GCBH defines social engagement as “interacting with others, feeling connected to other people, doing purposeful activities with others and/or maintaining meaningful social relationships.”
Health Benefits
There are many documented health benefits from social connections:
- Improves self-esteem
- Helps relieve stress
- Lowers blood pressure
- Improves sleep
- Helps prevent depression
- Lowers anxiety
- Boosts your immune system
- Cultivates resilience
- Increases self-reports of happiness
- Improves memory and speed of information retrieval
- Enhances the length and quality of life
Our social connections encourage positive behaviors and lifestyle choices contributing to an overall healthier and happier life.
Loneliness and Health
What happens when we do not have adequate social connections in our life?
Isolation is defined as the physical state of being alone. Loneliness has an emotional component added. The Surgeon General’s report describes loneliness as “A subjective distressing experience that results from perceived isolation or inadequate meaningful connections…”.
The report states that loneliness has significant health risks – especially for older adults.
- Increased risk of heart disease (29%)
- Increased risk of stroke (32%)
- Increased risk of dementia (50%)
- Increased risk of premature death (as much as smoking 15 cigarettes a day)
- Weight gain/loss
- Sleep disturbances
- Decreased physical activity
- Increased depression/anxiety
Tips to Promote Social Engagement
The GCBH recommends that people incorporate a variety of the suggestions listed below to increase the number and diversity of social connections in our lives and to promote meaningful social engagement.
- Focus on the relationships or social activities you enjoy the most
- If you have no one around to engage with, turn to professionals who can assist (telephone hotlines, drop-in centers, a chat with a local religious leader)
- Seek opportunities to engage with others (attend community activities, join a book club at the library, volunteer for a local charity)
- Try to keep a circle of friends, family, or neighbors with whom you can exchange ideas, thoughts, and concerns
- Connect with at least one other person each day (in person, phone call, text, email, or a written letter/card)
- Maintain social connections with people of different ages (keep in touch with grandchildren, or volunteer at a local school or community center)
- Seek out new relationships or social activities that you haven’t tried before
We can all take small steps to connect with others each and every day.
- Smile at others
- Practice random acts of kindness
- Reach out to neighbors or acquaintances whom you may have not spoken to recently
While our lives and routines are structured differently, we can intentionally seek out opportunities to interact and connect with diverse or new people. A simple rule of thumb to follow is to connect with at least one person every day. The connection can be a simple phone call, text, email, video chat, in-person visit, or a meal. Continue to try to connect with others.
The Brain Changing Power of Conversation
The human brain thrives when it is socially connected with others. Having a conversation with another person is a total brain workout. You must listen, interpret/process what you are hearing, relate the conversation to memories of other conversations you have had in the past, formulate a coherent response, and reply to the person with whom you are speaking. You use many different parts of your brain in even the simplest of conversations!
Ultimately, conversations are not just a means of communication. They play a vital role in maintaining brain health, cognitive function, and emotional well-being. The next time you can strike up a conversation with someone remember – it’s beneficial for both you and your brain!
In brain health and wellness,
LeAnne and Krystal
