How Finding Your Tribe Can Improve Your Health - Part 2
@melissaaskew
Struggling with motivation? Before you look at your diet or exercise regime, try looking at the people you surround yourself with. Why? The people we surround ourselves with has a huge impact on our health.
In my last article, How Finding Your Tribe Can Improve Your Health Part 1 I talked about the centenarians of the Blue Zones. The centenarians live long and prosperous lives, and this is credited in part to their devotion to their family and friends. The Okinawans of Japan have Moais, lifelong groups of friends that support them socially, financially, and with their health. It’s thought that the Moais help each other stay healthy by always providing a safety net for each other. If you haven’t read it, head back and read that first HERE, the Blue Zones are fascinating!
Similarly, US based researcher Emma Seppala studies social connection and found that loneliness or low levels of social connection:
Is worse for our health than smoking, high blood pressure or obesity
Makes you more susceptible to anxiety and depression
Can decrease the rate of recovery from disease
Increases anti-social behaviour and violence
So it’s pretty damn important! Even without the results of a scientific study, we know instinctively that loneliness is bad for our health. We are also intuitively aware of the need to create a social circle, our tribe, in order to keep us happy and health.
It probably won’t surprise you at all to know that high levels of social connection are related to:
A 50% increased chance of longevity
Higher self esteem and increased levels of empathy
Lower rates of anxiety and depression
Increased ability to regulate our emotions
Seppala describes social connection as feeling close to and a sense of belongingness with others. The good news is that it can be relatively easy to increase our social connection. Even simple actions can help us feel more connected with others. Interestingly, social connection has nothing to do with the number of friends you have. It’s the quality not the quantity of connection that’s important. How you feel is what’s important, your internal sense of connection. If you feel connected to others on the inside, that’s what matters. That’s what will the many health benefits linked to social connection.
How To Increase Social Connection And Feel Better?
So what can we do to feel more connected others, and experience all the related health benefits related to it?
Seppala recommends 3 things:
1. Carry out an act of kindness.
Do something for someone else, just to help out. Research shows that helping others or volunteering can make you feel good, improve your sense of connection, give you a purpose and boost your self esteem. As well as making you feel happier, helping others has also been shown to lower stress levels. Can you pick up shopping for a vulnerable neighbour or relative? Do you have a skill you can share with others? Back during the pandemic, a talented friend of mine who is a whizz with a sewing machine offered to make me my very own customised facemasks because I was struggling to find one that fit properly. Who can you help with the skills you already have?
2. Take care of yourself.
When you’re stressed it it’s often because we are focusing internally, on our own issues and so we feel less connected to others. Feeling happier within yourself, means you’re more likely to create a connection with others. Don’t feel guilty for taking time to care for yourself. Self care isn’t selfish, it’s essential. The old cliché “You can’t pour from an empty cup” is true. Try this right now: Stop. Take a deep breath. Ask yourself, “What does my body need right now?” Then do that. It doesn’t have to be complicated. It could be that you just need to drink more water, have a stretch if you’ve been sat for a while or maybe you need an early night. Whatever you need, make it a priority.
3. Ask for help.
People are often happy to help others, but if we don’t ask they will assume we’re fine and don’t need help. Feeling low? Ask a friend if you can call them for a catch up. When we reach out to others, it creates feelings of belonging in those we ask to help us, so everyone benefits, not just the person asking for help.
If you’re trying to lose weight or improve your health don’t forget the, often overlooked, power of community. You don’t have to do this alone. With the right support, reaching your health goals will be quicker, easier and you’ll have more fun along the way.
Ready to make lasting changes to your health? Is it hard going it alone? That’s exactly what I can help you with. For a free 30 minute call to find out about my fully personalised weight loss support and if it’s right for you, simply book here.
If loneliness is affecting your mental health, please make sure to get help There are many great support agencies out there, but the Samaritans is a good place to start.
For more information on the works of Dr Emma Seppala, head to www.emmaseppala.com