Connection with Others = Social Medicine

Our mental health significantly impacts our quality of life, so it makes sense that we would want to do all we can to improve it. This may include things like eating healthy foods, exercising, and getting enough quality sleep each night. 

But there is something else that greatly influences our mental health and that is a community and a sense of belonging. Human beings are wired for connection. When we feel connected to others, we feel loved and supported. 

Here are some benefits of connection with others:

- Decrease in cardiovascular reactivity

- Decrease in blood pressure

- Decrease in anxiety

- Slows cognitive decline

- Improves sleep

- Improves depression

- Decreases cortisol levels

If you have been feeling alone and isolated, here are some ways you can find your own community and begin to connect with others:

Go with What Interests You

What activities and hobbies do you have? You may want to join a book club or take a painting lesson. If you’re athletic or used to playing a sport in school, maybe you could join a local team. You’ll no doubt find it easier to connect with others who enjoy doing the same things you do.

Volunteer

Being of service to others is highly rewarding, and volunteering is also a great way to connect with others who share similar values. What causes do you feel passionate about? What charities do you support? Check out their website or give them a call to see what volunteering opportunities they may have available.

Humans are not meant to be alone. We need to socialize. If you have been feeling down, now’s the time to go out and make some new connections.

And if you’ve been dealing with depression and anxiety for some time and could use someone to talk to, please give me a call.