I had originally decided to hold off on dissecting this topic; to date I’ve written a lot about intangible factors in our lives that greatly influence our health. But when the news started rolling in Friday about the tragic events in Connecticut, I decided pragmatic articles about winter dry skin and bronchitis could wait another week or so. It’s times like this that remind us of our most important relationships and how they are necessary far beyond the vulnerability of childhood.
The truth is, we need each other to heal on a daily basis from all diseases, heartbreaks and losses. What the medical community is only beginning to understand and acknowledge is that even casual encounters and relationships, comprising complex social networks, are imperative to our health. These are a few of the ways:
They remind us to invest in ourselves: From a logistical point of view, it’s no secret we need each other to get through hardships and failing health. Someone must take us to our appointments, remind us to take our pills, and help us fill out intake forms. Social networks also inspire us to have more concern for our physical fitness. When starting a family and having children, people will often cut back on health hazardous habits, like smoking or drinking. When we begin exercise programs, consistent encouragement from a gym buddy may be necessary to continue with our workouts after the week one runner’s high has run out. We rely on our cheerleaders (or cattle prodders) to help us navigate the healthcare system, act preventatively, and consistently make better choices for ourselves.
Our social networks may predispose us to certain illnesses/conditions: Social contacts directly affect our likelihood of experiencing both short and long-term health problems. One recent study exposed hundreds of healthy volunteers to the common cold virus, and subsequently quarantined them. Participants that were more socially isolated in their lives were much more likely to fall ill. Another interesting study showed that a person’s likelihood of becoming obese was partially determined by whether or not his/her social contacts became obese during the same period. In fact, if a person’s friend became obese, it increased the likelihood that he/she would become obese by 57 percent.
Our social networks have both negative and positive impact on our mental health: A 2004 adolescent study showed that having a friend who attempted suicide increased the risk of suicide attempts and ideation in both males and females. On a more positive note, another study showed that women in particular may be predisposed to the calming benefits of friendship. When stressed, females release the hormone oxytocin, which encourages “tend and befriend” behavior, rather than the “fight or flight” reaction often observed in men. This partially explains why women are often more likely to chat with friends when they are stressed out. This action stimulates further release of oxytocin, providing a calming effect.
Even contrived social groups have positive effect: It’s not only our naturally occurring relationships that have major impact on our ability to heal and overcome hardship. An older study followed 86 women with metastatic breast cancer for a year and found that the women who participated in a weekly support group lived twice as long.
Indeed, health interventions, quite apart from their effects on a focal individual, can have unintended health effects on others. When an elderly patient has a hip replacement procedure done, not only are they eventually more mobile, but as a result they may be better able to look after the health of their spouse. People are interconnected, and so their health is interconnected. Whether it’s you and your significant other, your child, your community, or the greater population, it’s key to remember the importance and value of these relationships. Honoring them is a crucial component of your journey towards both physical and emotional well-being.
When important social ties end prematurely or tragically, it can cause incredible damage to one’s health. But we know that even if grief is a result of a negative social event, it can be positively mediated through strong social support. As one researcher put it: “Spreading good and valuable things are necessary to create positive social networks, and social networks are necessary for the spread of good and valuable things.” Here’s to entering a New Year with new understandings. Together.
If you’d rather not be alone with your thoughts, drop a line in the comment section below, or send Aline a message at arp.naturod@gmail.com. Cheers!
