Chapter 7 – Connection: “Connection is fundamental for human beings”.
Secrets of Women’s Healthy Ageing’ by Professor Cassandra Szoeke
Chapter 7 – Connection
“Connection is fundamental for human beings. If you can find connection, you will find greatest wellbeing.” Aristotle, the great philosopher claimed that (and I’ll paraphrase here): alone we are animals, together we are humans. Though it must be said that even animals share a social nature.
Experiments show that young animals fare better when given more affection than their siblings. [In my opinion, it’s not too much of a stretch to imagine the same would apply to humans]. Studies have shown that people who are more isolated are more likely to have trouble sleeping, suffer high blood pressure, experience a heart attack or stroke and/or suffer depression. Note, isolation refers to people who feel lonely in their isolation, as opposed to seeking ‘alone’ time. For example, the debunked ‘empty nester syndrome’ shows that women report better mood and health outcomes when their children leave home.
Well-being is also enhanced when people carry out activities in groups. They’re likely to ‘stick it out’ longer and ‘do more’ in a group. Though the author points out that you don’t need to be an extrovert to benefit from social interaction. For some people having one or two “social connections that nourish you” is enough to make a difference. And people who experience illness or pain report better wellbeing after social interaction.
Again, a good attitude and the ability to adapt is important for the best outcomes. Even in Covid times we’ve adapted using new interactions such as foot taps and elbow bumps and using technology (zoom) to maintain connections.
Of course, not all social interactions are beneficial. Negative interactions cause a lower mood. As interactions are sometimes limited by finances, it’s important that “women everywhere need better access to education, health and safety resources.”
