As humans, we are meant to form groups. From family groups to friend groups, connecting and interacting socially on a regular basis with others is essential to our overall health and well-being. In fact, lacking connection can increase the risk.of premature death to levels comparable to a daily smoking habit.
On the other hand, having a social network can decrease the risk of developing and worsening things like:
Heart disease
Anxiety
High blood pressure
Dementia
Depression
Diabetes
Right now, in the US, we are experiencing a loneliness epidemic like never before. Even before the necessity of social isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, people across the United States were struggling with loneliness and isolation. This epidemic has continued and only gotten worse.
"The problem is when loneliness persists for a long period of time. And when it is chronic, then we enter into a chronic stress state. And that is what has dramatically consequential impacts on our health," said US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy. Murthy has declared that loneliness is a public health crisis and has offered ways that Americans can help one another feel less alone.
Here are some of his tips:
Make it a point to spend at least 15 minutes each day talking to or writing to someone you love.
Focus on the quality of the time spent with friends and loved ones.
Get rid of distractions while interacting with one another. Turning off phones and TVs, and not flipping through emails or social media when you’re with someone will make connections more meaningful.
Check in on friends and neighbors often.
Seek and give advice.
Just show up, be present.
Listen. Sometimes just having a friendly ear is all we need to feel connected.
"It turns out that when we reach out and help someone else, that not only enables us to connect with another human being, but it reminds us of our value and of our purpose in life," said Murthy.
The great news about all this is that we can all start implementing these things right now. We have it within us to start reaching out in our communities to strengthen current relationships and build new ones, which not only helps us as individuals but can have a butterfly effect throughout the rest of society. Now go call a friend and ask them to meet up for coffee.
Revan Health provides welcoming, respectful family medicine for all from infants to geriatrics. We understand the pain and frustration that comes with not feeling heard by your family care provider. We believe access to respectful care is key to improving medicine adherence and overall life satisfaction for our patients. Like us on Facebook or visit us at revanhealth.com.