Social Connection and Your Health
- Regan Mosher-Rudolf
- 7 hours ago
- 4 min read
During these bright days of summer where time feels easier to find and opportunity for things to do is abundant, it becomes the season to engage with others and embrace the playfulness of our communities. Through social connection, we strengthen our physical and mental health and our neighborhoods which help us to lead longer healthier lives. Everywhere around us is pulsing with free and easily accessible events that give us the chance to build deeper roots while boosting our own cognitive health.
It is only in recent years that we have started to really understand the impact of human interaction on our overall well being. According to the World Health Organization, “social connection can protect health across the lifespan. It can reduce inflammation, lower the risk of serious health problems, foster mental health, and prevent early death. It can also strengthen the social fabric, contributing to making communities healthier, safer and more prosperous”. Recent research continues to show positive results in regular social interaction lowering risk of dementia and depression while increasing our cognitive capacity and flexibility.
Even though our individual needs are different, humans are social creatures at their core. We have survived by creating connection to learn from, support, and guide each other into living longer and better lives. Having in person interactions provides a “social battery recharge” as it coordinates heart rate and breathing patterns helping to create a better sense of empathy and connection. It also encourages the release of dopamine and oxytocin helping to stimulate a massive psychological and cognitive boost through increasing our mental resilience which helps to offset the damaging effects of excess psychological stress.
In a world where digital technology is at the forefront of everything we do, it is imperative for our cognitive growth that we make time to step away from screens and connect through body language, facial expressions and good conversation.
We can all have a tendency to feel isolated and lonely and even may find the idea of interacting with strangers awkward and uncomfortable. You are not alone! We all can tend to have clumsy moments in new relationships but these interactions can iron themselves out as you regularly spend more time with someone that is a good social fit for you. This makes the ways you choose to seek social engagement important. It is always best to open yourself to social experiences doing something you enjoy in environments that you feel most like yourself.
Lucky for us we have communities that offer ample opportunity to connect and engage! As we roll into summer, the places we live are lighting up with markets, festivals, live music and many other free events to encourage connection in your own backyard. Below are easy places to go to find what is happening in your community and keep up with upcoming events.
Local Resources
Chamber of Commerce, County, or Town Website - This is a great place to begin your search as you have most activities listed for your town in one place. Here are a few local options listed below. Do a search for your town and tourism and usually this site is easy to find.
Broadripple - www.broadrippleindy.org
Boone County - www.discoverboonecounty.com
Hamilton County - www.visithamiltoncounty.com
Marion County - www.visitindy.com
Library - Libraries are more than just books these days. Most offer a wide variety of social opportunities from game nights, book clubs to history discussions and art classes. There truly is something for everyone.
Parks and Recreation Department - Parks offer great access to free open spaces and through in many nature related activities to keep you learning and engaged with nature. Check out your local parks department website for a list of their current events.
Blogs and Independant Local Sites - There are some that have a knack for knowing what is going on in the places they live. Sometimes they choose to gather the info and organize it on their own. Here are some options below:
Community Boards - Many local business have boards to allow for free advertising of local events. This is where you may find info on very local engagements and resources. Next time you are at your favorite local business check out their events board!
Social Media - Well it's right there in the title! Social media can be a great resource to connect us as long as we put it away while we are interacting. We have a tremendous amount of info at our fingertips. Consider following your town or your favorite venue for regular updates on what's happening around you.
Google - One of my favorite things to do is google search for free events near me to see what is happening wherever I may be visiting or if I need a last minute idea. This is a great resource for the spontaneous socialite!
Meet Ups - This requires a facebook account and is a great way to find specific activities that are designed for making social connections. There is a variety of
Volunteer! - Get involved in something that means something to you and meet people that enjoy it too! This is a great way to just get in there and try something social that also has a collective purpose. Best way to find your place is get on the website of the organizations that matter to you and fill out their information on volunteering. Other websites to check out:
Comments