We all know that health should be a priority in our lives but with so many different meanings attached to the word there is one aspect of our health that is often neglected: our social health.
Some follow a strict exercise regimen and prioritise healthy eating. Others may focus on getting enough sleep, seeking support for their mental health and self-care.
Human connection, also known as social health, is ‘vastly underappreciated’ according to Kasley Killam, author of The Art and Science of Connection. She adds that social interaction is ‘as essential as food and water’.
Did you know that limited interaction with other people can affect your longevity, making you more prone to heart disease, diabetes, depression, or dementia?
In fact, research shows that lack of connection increases the risk of stroke by 32 per cent, the risk of dementia by 50 per cent and the risk of early death by 29 per cent.
Of course, being socially healthy goes beyond a brief chat with your neighbour or visiting with family once a month. The key to connection is finding communities in which you feel supported, valued and loved.
According to research of people in the USA, the amount of time individuals spent alone has increased by an average of 24 hours a month over the last 20 years. In the last decade, participation in communities such as book clubs, sports leagues and neighbourhood associations has fallen by almost 20 per cent.
Global research firm Gallup has discovered that 330 million adults worldwide endure weeks at a time without speaking to a single family member or friend and that 20 per cent of all adults worldwide don’t have anyone they can reach out to for help.
Reflecting upon the neglect of social health, Kasley Killam said, “I wondered why people underestimate relationships so drastically. A simple Google search on ‘healthy habits’ gave me an important clue. The top results were articles from reputable sources of health information like Harvard Medical School, the National Institutes of Health, the Cleveland Clinic and WebMD containing many useful tips: exercise regularly. Eat vegetables. Get a good night’s sleep. Don’t smoke. Drink water. However, not one mentioned anything about relationships.”
Speaking from a familiar perspective, one specific example of poor social health risk includes new and stay-at-home parents.
Parenting, particularly in the first few years, can be a painfully isolating experience. In a Parents blog post written by Kimberly Zapata, the author describes her own experiences in motherhood and how it can feel comparable to living on an island. She writes, “Maybe you’re in a crowd of people—at a birthday party or playdate—struggling to connect with others. Making “mom friends,” or any friend, feels daunting. It’s hard. Painful. A grandiose and unwelcome chore.”
Although parenthood can feel as though you are never alone, the reality for many is that meaningful moments of connection with other adults become few and far between. Even if you are living with a partner, there is often an undeniable and sadly unspoken rift between parents during those first years of becoming a family.
The National Childbirth Trust (NCT) writes helpful advice for families about parenthood and how to regain and maintain social lives during this busy period.
Specialist PR agency
We at Famous Publicity serve clients who want support from public relations professionals who can assist them with their communication programmes. Our work includes PR strategy, media liaison, writing, marketing, brochure and web design.
Our clients want support from people who will be proactive in their approach and who have their clients’ interests at the heart of what they do.
