Numerous studies have shown that strong social connections have massive impact on your mental as well as physical health, increasing your likelihood of living longer by 50%.
Research has also shown the prevalence of loneliness and isolation in society. One recent study revealed that 36% of Americans feel lonely often, if not all the time. As with Loneliness and social isolation apply across the age/race/gender spectrum and are considered a “serious public health risk” by the CDC as they can contribute to various problems, including: anxiety, depression, substance abuse, heart disease, stroke, domestic abuse, dementia, suicide, obesity, decreased cognitive and physical function, premature death and other problems.
Synchronous Health therapist, Lisa Harley notes, “Building healthy relationships is like building a house, a strong foundation is required. It requires self-awareness, balance, as well as self-work. Sometimes building healthy relationships can mean changing or letting go of some past beliefs we’ve had about relationships to be more present with what we are actually wanting to manifest with another person. Healthy relationships are built and fed through reciprocity, open communication, effort, mutual respect, knowledge of self, vulnerability, and trust.”
Bottom line, we’re made for connection and community, which won’t always look the same (i.e. - pandemic), but if we’re intentional about it, we can find it with reciprocity being the ultimate goal.
Some of the benefits of healthy relationships include:
- Less stress
- Better Healing
- Healthier Behaviors
- Greater sense of purpose
- Longer life
Sounds pretty good, right? So what are some way you can cultivate healthier relationships in your life?
- Believe that they can happen.
- When connecting with others, remember grace for yourself and others, be present and try to see where they’re coming from, how they see the world without any judgement or predetermined responses or assessments.
- Be willing to listen and hear something that you may not know and understand initially.
- Listen without having a response already prepared.
- Be sensitive to where you might be able to establish boundaries for yourself and others.
If you’re feeling like you could use some additional support, our team is ready to serve you. To learn more and register, call 844-242-3364.
Sources: Northwestern Medicine (2021); CDC (2021); Harvard University (2021); MindWise (2021); Mental Health America (2021)
