The benefits of being social are widely known, it is good for the heart and soul (literally). I say that because being social has been shown to make you happier, healthier, more physically and mentally resilient, decrease your chances of auto-immune illness and other great things.
(2 minute read)
Dr Vanessa King is an author with a Masters in Applied Positive Psychology, and is the Head of Psychology at ‘Action for Happiness’. She stated that human beings are a social species, and we were born to be social. We evolved to live in groups so working together, being together, and eating together is the social glue that keeps us together. Participating in group activities and community events makes us happier.
But, social isolation is on the rise with this pandemic. People are encouraged not to socialise, not to spend time with family and friends, for fear of being infected. This can lead to social withdrawal. Some people are starting to avoid being social, no longer forced but by choice. What began as forced social distancing has changed the way we see the world. People have started to behave as if other people are potentially dangerous to our health.
This has changed how some people feel about socialising, in that there is a suspicion being close to others poses a direct threat. I’ve had several patients not want to come to their appointments for fear of catching Covid. Even when I offered them home visits wearing full PPE, they were still too scared of catching the virus. They have not left their house in months due to fear.
Social isolation is bad for your physical and mental health. It has been linked to:
- dementia
- depression
- anxiety
- higher rates of suicide
- decreased immunity
- falls
- lower perceived quality of life
- chronic stress
- digestive problems
- insomnia
- poorer physical and emotional health
- poorer nutrition
And more recently, been shown to cause amongst previously healthy people
- heart attack
- stroke
- sudden death
Humans are born to be social, and although it is necessary to limit the spread of Covid, humans are not designed to manage isolation for long periods. We are social creatures, not conditioned to live isolated from others. This absence of relationships can affect someone’s sense of self and puts you at risk of developing other conditions such as
Dementia
A systematic review found that loneliness and social isolation were significantly associated with an increased incidence of dementia.
Depression and anxiety
Loneliness is considered to be a dark and miserable feeling. This sensation is a risk factor for many mental disorders like depression, anxiety, adjustment disorder, chronic stress, digestive problems, and insomnia. It has been well-documented that long periods of isolation in quarantine have detrimental effects on mental well-being.
Decreased immunity
Loneliness has also been shown to be an independent risk factor for connective tissue, auto-immune disorders and decreased immunity.
Frailty and falls
The more socially isolated you are, the less physically active you are. The less physically active you are, the frailer you become. The frailer you are, then the more likely you are to suffer falls and associated injuries.
Poorer choices
Some people use emotional crutches such as smoking, alcohol, and food to alleviate these sensations. This further depresses their thought processes and is linked to poorer physical activity and non-compliance with medical prescriptions.
Cardiovascular issues
Loneliness is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disorders and obesity. The more socially isolated you are, the more stressed you are, the more stressed you are = the higher your blood pressure is = the more increased inflammation in the body = the more increase in clotting factors. It is a known part of the fight or flight response.
Death
Chronic social isolation has been shown to increase the risks of morbidity and mortality, similar to known factors such as high blood pressure, smoking, and obesity. It increases your chance of death by 26-32%, even in middle-aged people without any previous cardiac issues.
So how do we avoid this? We remain socially connected 😀
- Social engagement decreases the likelihood of the above conditions and is associated with an increased perception of quality of life.
- Strong social relationships can increase the likelihood of surviving a heart attack by as much as 50% compared with individuals whose relationships are weaker.
Dr King stated that a large part of our happiness as human beings stems from helping others without expecting anything in return. Kindness is essential in keeping families, social groups, society, and civilization functioning and whole. When we do things for others, it activates the reward centre in the brain. When we give a gift, it feels the same as receiving a gift. Once you see the difference you can make in the world and in your own happiness, you learn that kindness is rewarding in and of itself.
So, right now, I want you to think about a friend or family member who is socially isolated. Whether it be for a medical reason, family interstate, is there something you can do about it? (Unless they are like my Mum and dislike people in general – then let them be, they are happy just the way they are). If so, YES!, spend some time with them. Building meaningful connections is what makes us human and sharing a meal with others is one of the most ancient references of familiarity.
You don’t know how much of an impact that small gesture may make. It’s not just them you’re helping to be happier and healthier, but yourself as well 😉
Bon appetit