Want to improve your health?

Nurture your relationships! 

Humans are wired for social connection and thrive when they have warm, supportive relationships.  In fact, social connectedness is as important to your health as not smoking! 

Do you believe it?

The research is fairly conclusive.  Study after study demonstrates the health benefits of social connections.  Good relationships improve our immune system and decrease our risks of many chronic diseases. 

Consider one of my favorite studies conducted by Dr. Nerem at the University of Texas on the role of relationships in heart health:
•  The researchers were studying the correlation between diet and the development of coronary artery disease and created a diet for rabbits that was designed to cause artery blockages for the rabbits. At the end of the study, researchers discovered that some of the rabbits did not have blockages in their arteries.  Some rabbits had 60% less plaque than their counterparts.
•  The scientists examined each step of the study in order to determine a reason for the disparity in the amount of heart disease. They discovered that the healthier rabbits were located in the middle of the laboratory.  When the researchers asked their assistant about those particular rabbits, she told them that when she fed the rabbits in the middle of the lab, she had taken them out of their cages.  She held them and talked to them while she fed them.  She was unable to do that with all the rabbits because their cages were too difficult to access.
•  The scientists found it hard to believe that affection would be the determining factor for the skewed results, so they repeated the study in the exact same fashion. Once again, the results were the same. The rabbits who received love and affection while eating had less coronary artery disease. The results suggest that eating with others in a loving environment may assist the metabolism of artery risky foods, and increase overall longevity.

Some Suggestions to Explore

So, what can you do to add more social connectedness to your life? 

Well, first of all, you can make a conscious effort to improve the relationships you have.  You may want to put a little more energy towards a relationship with a partner, sibling, parent, or friend.  You can also try to foster some new relationships. Make an effort to increase the social connectedness in your life by following this week’s tip.

It is just as important to minimize the negative impact of so-called toxic relationships as it is to nurture supportive ones.  If you are involved in a toxic relationship – with a family member, partner, or friend – you may need to re-think the relationship.  You may need to find ways to relate that minimize the negative impact, protecting your health in the process.  For some, that means ending the relationship – for others, it may mean spending less time and energy on the relationship.  Either way, it is important to your health and happiness.

So, love is vital to our physical health.  Find a way today to add more social connections to your life!

Who did you connect with? Tell me about it in the comments.

Sara Armstrong is the owner of Zoi Wellness Consulting. In addition to wellness coaching, Sara specializes in health education seminars, diabetes prevention and management, Health for EVERY Body, and worksite wellness design. You can email Sara for a free wellness consultation at sara@zoiconsulting.com.