Connection. Community. Relationships. Lately, these necessities have been on my heart. They are up against the ropes as we enter an era of pandemics.
We are at risk of losing one of the strongest influences we can wield for reclaiming our health. Social isolation and distancing, though helpful in “flattening the curve” of viral spread, also flatten the human experience.
“No man is an island entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main;” John Donne
Quarantine, social distance, lock down, and shelter in place all make sense from a cold, logical sense. But all of these roads lead to isolation.
Isolation is a ghost town, bereft of any vitality, devoid of what makes us human. It doesn’t matter if it’s just a visit or if we’re only passing through, isolation exacts its toll on the road in, the road out, and all the way through its streets, thoroughfares, and boulevards.
There are serious health effects associated with isolation. A recent review of studies published in the Lancet, found connections between symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and being quarantined.1 Some of the research points to its effects as long-lasting.
This era of viral pandemics sits on top of a social pandemic that has already been festering for some time.
Before the call for social isolation, we were already living in a time of social disconnection. An entire generation (millennials) have been called, “the loneliest generation.” The generation behind them (generation Z) appear to be in the same boat.
In the span of a lifetime we have gone from the “greatest generation” to the “loneliest generation!”
Additionally, younger generations now experience higher incidences of chronic illness. According to a 2017 Blue Cross Blue Shield report, millennials are experiencing a major health decline by age 27.2
This isn’t just another problem for which we can blame millennials or social media. The truth is, many of us are already socially distanced enough. A 2018 Cigna survey showed that 50% of all Americans feel alone, left out, or isolated at least some of the time.
Social isolation is a bigger factor on health, disease, and mortality than any other factor.3
For instance, loneliness and feeling isolated are just as deadly as smoking 15 cigarettes a day and is associated with a 50% increase in mortality.4
Loneliness and poor health are inextricably connected!
We must understand that we are naturally social.
According to the book The Blue Zones, there are pockets across the globe where people routinely live to be more than 100 years old. This book reveals that social connections are influential factors attributing to longer, healthier lives.
Communities used to exist for the sake of survival. Everyone was interdependent and relied on each other. Multiple generations used to live under one roof, relationships were made with grocers and shopkeepers, and trading and bartering were common.
But now the marketplace, currency, and relationships are being digitized. Anything can be shipped to our door within two days. Our needs, once met by people we knew and trusted in our vicinity, are now being met by the internet, artificial intelligence, and strangers half the world away.
Take a look at the changes you’ve made as a result of this pandemic. Have the most drastic changes resulted in loss of actual contact and real interaction with another person?
Should you be concerned if the new recommendation of social distancing hasn’t required you to make any changes?
Don’t let relationships and connection fall victim to this “new normal”.
The three most important categories for understanding why we need to reclaim relational territory for the health of our mind, body, and spirit are:
- Biopsychosocial Model
- The Brain and Connection
Biopsychosocial Model – the concept of factors outside the biochemical process making or breaking our health
In 1977, George L Engel and John Romano, of Rochester University, first proposed their biopsychosocial model. They clearly showed how illness developed not only from biological influences (physical, chemical, genetic), but also from psychological (mental state, personality type) and social influences (relationships, culture).
Most healthcare interventions are only aimed at the biological component. Sometimes, when this doesn’t work out, the mind is blamed, and patients are referred out to take care of the psychological component.
“A biological input can’t solve a biopsychosocial problem.” James Maskell
The most successful breaks from dis-ease and chronic illness are seen in those that address all three areas of influence.
Sociogenomics
Social genomics is the field that studies why, and how, social factors (social stress, attachment, isolation, conflict) affect the activity of the genome.
The biggest gene modifier is social interaction.5
Yes, food is a potent expressor of optimum genetic function. But, a meal shared with another in love and gratitude has even more effect.
True, our microbiome has been shown to have immense connection to the expression of healthy gene function. But, might it work better as a microcosm, and reflection, of the connections we have between each other?
The Brain and Connection
The social role in our health can be understood from what has been revealed through discoveries concerning our brain.
Our brain is uniquely designed to connect with so much more than our body; it was made to connect with community.
We have what is called the “social engagement system,” incorporating various nerves and brain centers, functioning as a two-way interface. Through our eyes, ears, mouth, larynx, and face, this system allows us to receive social information and transmit our expressions to others.
Our parasympathetic nervous system also becomes involved, tuning in our hearing, voice, and facial movements. This part of the nervous system is responsible for the “rest and digest” functions of our body. Perhaps a better name, in reference to its social function, is the “collected, calm, and connected” part of our nervous system.
On the flip side, sympathetic activity has been shown to be increased in isolation. This activity translates into more brain inflammation, systemic inflammation, and decreased sleep.6
The need to connect is completely sewn into the fabric of our nervous system. When we are not problem solving or actively thinking, our brain defaults to thinking about others.7
Instead of conserving energy, this default mode (the “default network”) kicks on and our brain activity switches to making sense of others and ourselves.
So, how can we do our part for public health but also support a basic and desperate need?
Hug the One You’re With
If you are lucky enough to live with loved ones, a good 6-20 second hug has been shown to increase oxytocin (the connection hormone).8 Oxytocin reduces stress, increases the sense of bonding, and battles depressive disorders. Don’t forget, the same result happens with our furry friends, too.
Harness the Tongue
Use social media as a means for positive communication. This is not the time, or ever for that matter, to troll or tell someone off while hiding behind the safety of a digital barrier. Our words are either constructive or destructive, there is no gray area.
Crank Up the Tunes
According to the research by neuroscientist Stephen Porges, PhD., music unlocks deep brain centers that maintain the sense of connection, protection, and support. Coming from this gen-Xer who knows the value of listening to early 90’s rock by myself, the more the music moves your soul, the better.
Don’t let the new scare of pandemics keep you from experiencing the benefits of social interaction.
Stay engaged, stay safe, and stay connected with us. The Institute for Restorative Health is in this with you, reminding you of the best ways to reclaim, restore, and renew your health.
Reference:
1. Brooks, Samantha K., et al. “The Psychological Impact of Quarantine and How to Reduce It: Rapid Review of the Evidence.” SSRN Electronic Journal, 2020, doi:10.2139/ssrn.3532534.
2. “The Health of Millennials.” Blue Cross Blue Shield, www.bcbs.com/the-health-of-america/reports/the-health-of-millennials.
3. House, J., et al. “Social Relationships and Health.” Science, vol. 241, no. 4865, 1988, pp. 540–545., doi:10.1126/science.3399889.
4. Holt-Lunstad, Julianne, and Timothy Smith. “Social Relationships and Mortality Risk: A Meta-Analytic Review.” SciVee, 2010, doi:10.4016/19911.01.
5. Slavich, George M., and Julia Sacher. “Stress, Sex Hormones, Inflammation, and Major Depressive Disorder: Extending Social Signal Transduction Theory of Depression to Account for Sex Differences in Mood Disorders.” Psychopharmacology, vol. 236, no. 10, 2019, pp. 3063–3079., doi:10.1007/s00213-019-05326-9.
6. Cacioppo, John T., et al. “Social Isolation.” Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, vol. 1231, no. 1, 2011, pp. 17–22., doi:10.1111/j.1749-6632.2011.06028.x.
7. Smith, Emily Esfahani. “Social Connection Makes a Better Brain.” The Atlantic, Atlantic Media Company, 29 Oct. 2013, www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2013/10/social-connection-makes-a-better-brain/280934.
8. Harvard Health Publishing. “In Brief: Hugs Heartfelt in More Ways than One.” Harvard Health, www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/In_brief_Hugs_heartfelt_in_more_ways_than_one.
Thanks so much for this!