The Impact of Social Connections on Health – Cultivating Meaningful Relationship

Decades of interdisciplinary evidence demonstrate the benefits of prioritizing social connection for health. Social connection impacts mortality risk and disease biomarkers, among other effects.

Studies demonstrate that lack of social connection increases the risk of various health conditions, including heart disease, depression, Alzheimer’s, and high blood pressure.

1. Reduce Stress

Social connections have been linked with lower levels of cortisol (a stress hormone), lower blood pressure, improved mood and higher self-esteem. Conversely, those who are lonely experience numerous health implications such as disturbed sleeping patterns, elevated stress levels, antisocial behaviors or suicidal thoughts that require professional medical care to treat.

Social relationships not only reduce stress levels but can also strengthen immune systems and offer other health-enhancing advantages. For instance, having more social ties increases resistance against flu viruses – making you less likely to catch the cold!

Studies indicate that having both close and extended social relationships provides various forms of support during challenging times, as well as contributing to healthy lifestyle habits like exercise, healthy diet choices, smoking cessation and compliance with medical regimens.

2. Boost Your Immune System

Human connection is an indispensable aspect of life, and can bring many physical benefits. Researchers have reported that socializing helps strengthen immune systems, enhance memory and other aspects.

Social interactions help lower cortisol, the stress hormone which weakens immunity. Research also shows that those who maintain multiple social connections tend to outlive those without them.

Other studies have discovered that having many close relationships is associated with lower blood pressure, healthier weights and stronger immune systems. Furthermore, having an effective support network could reduce stroke risk. Though diet, exercise and good sleeping habits all play a part in longevity, strong relationships shouldn’t be underestimated as crucial pillars of wellbeing.

3. Improve Your Memory

Social networks offer much-needed support, helping reduce stress, combat depression, and enhance intellectual stimulation – not to mention helping prevent dementia such as Alzheimer’s.

Though researchers don’t fully understand why, researchers believe social interaction helps strengthen the brain. Being married or in a longterm relationship and having purpose can protect against age-related cognitive decline; similarly, engaging with community groups such as book clubs or townwide discussions as well as caring for a pet are proven ways to keep one’s cognitive faculties active and sharp.

Further, participation in community group activities was associated with slower memory decline than never engaging (see appendix for details). If your schedule doesn’t leave much room for social events, don’t become disheartened – they might still benefit!

4. Improve Your Mood

Social connectedness has been proven to help reduce depression, increase self-esteem and empathy for others, strengthen immune systems and lower risk-taking behavior such as antisocial behavior. Furthermore, it can bolster immunity systems against illnesses.

Unfortunately, research indicates that social connectedness is decreasing alarmingly fast. One study discovered that Americans in 1985 reported three close confidantes but now claim just three, with 25% saying they don’t have anyone at all. Yet social connections can take many forms. Consider volunteering or joining a faith community as ways of connecting with people; even simple interactions like saying hello when passing them on the street or in coffee shops can have benefits.

5. Inspire You

People with strong social ties tend to enjoy greater sense of purpose, happiness and self-worth – making it easier to deal with challenges in life.

Studies have linked inadequate quantities and quality of social ties with an array of health conditions, such as an increase in cardiovascular disease risk and mortality, poorer mental health outcomes, autonomic dysregulation and the presence of biomarkers that foretell preclinical disease development (Cohen 2004; Uchino 2006).

Studies demonstrate how positive health behaviors can “spread” through an individual’s social network and influence other members’ behaviors and health outcomes (Christakis and Fowler 2007; Smith and Christakis 2008). All of this may begin over coffee or phone conversations; however, building meaningful relationships takes time and dedication.