Social Wellness: Connections, passion, joy, trust and the elusive love that we must feel for each other!

Social Wellness encompasses much more than just making connections with others. It is also an Emotional, or Mental Wellness exercise.  Empirical research now shows that Socializing staves off feelings of loneliness and helps sharpen memory and cognitive skills; increases your sense of happiness and well-being, and may even help you live longer; it is an anti-inflammatory practice. It keeps our systems healthy.

Being social in layman’s terms is a person that likes to be around others or enjoys having conversations with others. Social can also describe things that have to do with society in general, such as social support. One of the definitions of “social” is sociable, which is solely the aspect of liking other people or accepting social activities.

I have spoken before about Eudaimonia, the feeling that one has a purpose in life, this feeling of Eudaimonia counterbalances the inflammatory markers that are triggered in the body when one is lonely. Being social is key to living an anti-inflammatory lifestyle. Loneliness is an interesting situation. Loneliness increases inflammation which increases social withdrawal (loneliness), seems as if social connections are a crucial biological need for our wellness. Social withdrawal increases the risk of depression. Being social has many benefits. I think during the Covid lockdown this research was proven in many ways.

Psychosocial stress is triggered by a lack of social connections. In one of my studies on Holistic Health, it was noted that we should get a hug or touch someone every day. Thus touch, one of the benefits of being socially connected is embedded in our DNA to deliver a parasympathetic,  calming effect.

As the world becomes, silently, more disconnected with the advent of tech, yes disconnected, physically, sending a birthday greeting on Social Media, or a “Hello, I was in your area,” is not the same as placing a call or being there in person. A person can have hundreds of friends on social media yet feel isolated and alone harming our ability to connect. Harming our Social Wellness.

 Vivek Murphy, the Surgeon General of the United States from 2014-2017 wrote about loneliness in the Harvard Review. He states:

“Feelings of loneliness cause stress, and our bodies have not evolved to cope with long-term chronic stress which causes an increase in cortisol (a key stress hormone) and higher levels of inflammation in the body. This means that lonely individuals have damaged blood vessels and other tissues, which increases the risk of heart disease, diabetes, joint disease, depression, obesity, and premature death. We know people are suffering from a lack of meaningful social connection, and there is no time like the present to take action.”

Social Wellness and social activity, like any of the other disciplines within Holistic Health, require intention and long-haul purpose. I know, I sound like a broken record, yet it is imperative to understand that the brain operates on habits, it is rigid in this way and will repeat past behaviors “that have worked” for individuals.  For example, Covid forced us into isolation. Isolation became a habit, part of the norm. Relationships suffered or in some rare cases flourished. Post-covid we find that the routine, the habit that we established is causing an increased amount of mental health problems.  In the long run, we will see that even if we find working from home convenient, unless we make other efforts to connect with the outside world, virtually does not cut it for human physiology.

As far as Social Wellness goes, having a strong support system is just as important as eliminating toxic relationships and setting healthy boundaries, having relationships that matter, and having people that support your positive attributes and accomplishments. It is important to have a network of supportive people to fall back on when times get tough for guidance, inspiration, advice, and support. Note: Social Wellness is associated with quality, not quantity. There is a saying, “you are what you eat.” Well, “you are” how you relate and what you relate to.

Meet people in person. Use technology to reach out to people socially. People tend to behave differently online than in person. Search community events, and try volunteering. There are a lot of ways to meet new people, it’s making the effort that hurts. And don’t expect to meet those that are compatible will be an easy task, everything takes work and patience. And don’t forget our elders, their life wisdom is infinite and love is essential to their well-being. Forty-three percent of seniors in the US report feeling lonely on a regular basis and of that 43% the rate of mortality increases by 45%. Loneliness is a silent killer, releasing stress hormones (cortisol) that promote increased inflammation. Loneliness is a silent killer, releasing stress hormones that promote chronic inflammation. Feeling lonely is as bad as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Yet there is a simple solution community; sharing that elusive love: love thy neighbor!

Here is a novelty that is good for you! Those who put pen to paper regularly obtain physical and psychological benefits. For instance, better immune function and fewer symptoms of anxiety and depression. Therefore writing is an anti-inflammatory activity. Research also suggests that writing by hand about a stressful life event arouses much higher emotional levels. This translates into a greater therapeutic benefit.¹

Schedule a weekly time to reach out to those that are dear yet far away, and keep those relationships strong, do this however through putting pen to paper.  Research shows that pen-to-paper establishes neuro connections key to processing emotional events and consolidating new information. Writing leads to better memory and exercising more brain power which helps keep the mind sharp; creativity flourishes. Buy yourself a fountain pen, and some cool ink, and yes, take the time, slow down, and write.

Make it social. Make it Matter and Have Fun.

The pillar of Social well-being must be in balance. Let me repeat this: The choices you make affect your strength, appearance, longevity, resilience, and overall satisfaction with whatever presents itself today and what may come your way tomorrow. 

Social Wellness is not a casual practice. Every week we must make an effort to meet, greet, and be ready to mingle. The energy exchange is plausible when we are intentions are straightforward. Support group, friends to rely on, a special intimate relationship? All in the palms of your hands! What matters: Connections, passion, joy, trust, and the elusive love that we must feel for each other!

For further information on how you or a loved one could benefit from a Holistic Wellness, Whole Health path, please do not hesitate to contact me at sixto@drsixto.me

To your natural whole health and wellness, naturally!

Sixto J. Sicilia, Ph. D.

¹ JOURNAL OF TRAUMATIC STRESS. (n.d.). Effects of mode of writing on emotional narratives – Wiley online library. Wiley Online Library. Retrieved October 26, 2022, from  https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1023/A%3A1024736828322