Have You Heard of Connection Medicine? Importance of Social Relationships

Let’s face it, there is such an emphasis in our American culture to be able to be independent, take care of ourselves, and not have to ask others to help us on our way through life.  However, is this even sustainable? Is it even healthy to be able to live a life without being in healthy social relationships? Is it even healthy to rely on other people? As with everything, I think we can all agree that independence and dependence requires balance, anything in extreme can be unhealthy.  I think Sue Johnson states it well in her book Love Sense: The Revolutionary New Science of Romantic Relationships, 

“Being the “best you can be” is really only possible when you are deeply connected to another. Splendid isolation is for planets, not people.” -Sue Johnson

Connection with others, whether romantic or in friendship where we feel deeply and safely connected, can help our self-esteem, mental health and even our physical health.  Martino, Pegg, and Frates (2017) discussed how just like there was a campaign for “Exercise is Medicine,” that given the amount of support there is on how safe social relationships support our well being, that there should be a movement towards emphasizing healthy, safe connections as a form of ‘medicine.’ Here are a few of the interesting ways research has shown how deep social connection can act as a medicine to our mental and physical health:

1. Personal social connections correlated with a significant decrease in HbA1c and blood glucose levels in patients with type 2 diabetes (Martino, Pegg & Frates, 2017).  

   
   

2. People with healthy relationships and strong social ties were 3 times less likely to die in comparison to those who did not have healthy social supports and connections (Berkman & Syme, 1979)

   
   

3. In a research study by Cruwys and colleagues (2013) individuals experiencing depression showed that when they were involved with at least one group membership (e.g. educational, religious, political or other supportive social group) their risk of relapse into depression was lowered by 24% and risk for those who belonged to 3 social groups lowered by 63%.

   
   

4. Jones and colleagues (2012) discovered that the hormone oxytocin that is released during social bonding can decrease the gripping fears and anxieties that occur in fight or flight responses in those diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. 

These are only a few examples of the amazing ways social connections and deep relationships can impact us physically and mentally in some pretty powerful ways.  Stay tuned for future blog posts where I will touch on more interesting facts of how having healthy attachments with other people can impact us positively in a holistic way. 

If you need help walking through your current circumstances and are looking for some added support, or help in being able to regain healthy connection in your marriage or relationship. Feel free to contact me by phone (860-791-4688), by email (elizabeth@plumeriacounseling.hush.com), or by booking a free 15 minute consultation. 

References: 

Berkman LF, Syme SL. Social networks, host resistance, and mortality: a nine-year follow-up study of Alameda County residents. Am J Epidemiol. 1979;109:186-204.

Cruwys T, Dingle GA, Haslam C, Haslam SA, Jetten J, Morton TA. Social group memberships protect against future depression, alleviate depression symptoms and prevent depression relapse. Soc Sci Med. 2013;98:179-186.

Jones JM, Williams WH, Jetten J, Haslam SA, Harris A, Gleibs IH. The role of psychological symptoms and social group memberships in the development of post-traumatic stress after traumatic injury. Br J Health Psychol. 2012;17:798-811. 

Martino J, Pegg J, Frates EP. The Connection Prescription: Using the Power of Social Interactions and the Deep Desire for Connectedness to Empower Health and Wellness. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine. 2017;11(6):466-475. doi:10.1177/1559827615608788