Social connectedness, happiness and health

Social connectedness, happiness and health

Introduction

People do not live by themselves but live and interact with other human beings. As a result, human beings are inherently social creatures. Human interaction dates way back to evolution as humans have thrived in social groups. In contrast, when people were separated or segregated for various reasons they suffered. Social groups are a great component of human living and wellbeing Holt-Lunstad, Smith, and Layton (2010) define social connectedness to the relationships people have with others.

At an individual level, social connectedness includes the quality and number of connections one has with other people in a society such as family and friends. Research indicates that social connection is important for the health, happiness and overall wellbeing of human beings. social connectedness and isolation have effects on mental and physical health of humans. the connection to other fellow people is important for emotional, mental and societal development of people. human relationships.

Benefits of Social connectedness

People have been able to reap heavy benefits when they feel socially connected especially in today’s world which is increasingly isolated. From the article “How Iceland Got Teens to Say No to Drugs” (Young 2017) it is evident that the community has a role to play in ensuring health, happiness and positive wellbeing of people. Nearly twenty years ago the Icelandic teens roamed the streets while they were heavily drug indulging in drugs such as heroin or amphetamines.

They provide opportunities to learn

“We didn’t say to them, you’re coming in for treatment. We said we’ll teach you anything.” The idea was that these different classes could provide a variety of alterations in the kids’ brain chemistry, and give them what they needed to cope better with life: some might crave an experience that could help reduce anxiety, others may be after a rush.

As a community is neatly connected people have the opportunity to learn new things.  In an interview with Young, Milkman notes that “the community-based facilities teach you anything you want to learn: music, dance, hip hop, art, martial arts”. Through community efforts in Denver, the teens were able to get opportunities in after school classes in which they learnt a wide variety of lessons.  The classes also offered opportunities in which the teens would be able to cope with stressful life situations. The community centres such as indoor skating would reduce brain activity related to stress and anxiety. Milkman further notes that classes were like a rehabilitation centre in which kids would learn whatever they were interested. In place of heroin and amphetamine, the classes enabled the students to alter their brain chemical activity. In addition to classwork like Mathematics, the teens would gain life skills through training sessions.

Help in mental health

In Iceland, the teens used drugs as a gateway to dealing with stress. However, over time the environment has changed; with the government and community invested in afterschool activities for the teens. As more teens are involved in afterschool activities and clubs such as sports, they learnt new and better ways of coping with life. Community facilities have been erected to ensure that the teens are occupied and in turn, they reduced drug intakes. Consequently, the teens began living drug and stress-free lives. Young, (2017) notes that the Icelandic model has “give them what they needed to cope better with life”.  She further notes that the activities and training have contributed to reduced stress levels, anxiety and depression (Martino, Pegg, and Frates, 2017).

They provide friendships

Social connectedness builds friendships in contrast to social isolation. In addition to the Iceland teens having new learning opportunities they also made friends. Friendships based on shared interests tend to breakdown social barriers and improve wellbeing. Furthermore, the friendships help teens in dealing with stressful situations in that they are aware that they have someone or people to support them as opposed to going back to drugs. As a result, these friendships offer a shoulder to cry on and that the individual is not a stressful situation alone (Wilkinson et al., 2019).

Community is responsible for people’s health

Today’s world, people are more stressed than ever before with bills and skyrocketing prices. Social connection improves physical health and mental and emotional well-being. Furthermore, social connection is a determining factor in health-related issues such as obesity, smoking, diabetes and high blood pressure. The Icelandic community improved the physical health of the teens through dedicated afterschool activities. Holt-Lunstad and colleagues agree that high social support and social integration are associated with the lowest relative odds of stress-related diseases like high blood pressure.

Social connectedness helps people live longer

Wilkinson et al., (2019) note that social engagement and family engagement are common factors in the lifestyles of cultures that see greater lifespan. Support and trust in human networks have positively influenced the heart and blood pressure of individuals. consequently, people with healthy relationships respond better to stress as the endocrine system, immune system and cardiovascular functioning operation at the optimum. additionally, Young (2017) notes that “brought families closer and helped kids to become healthier in all kinds of ways”.

Social connectedness boosts happiness

In the community-based activities in Iceland, teens spend a certain number of hours each week as they are involved in activities that interest them. The teens are connected with peers and develop friendships which are anchored on shared interests. when people have good times like the Icelandic teens, they enjoy each other’s company as they engage in activities and positive emotions that result in happiness and life satisfaction.

Social connectedness determines human behaviours and choices

Relationships not only impact a teen’s mental and physical health but can affect how people behave. Individuals in a social network that has a positive attitude would influence them to have a positive perspective on life. Positive social connections influence individuals to exhibit health behaviours such as smoking cessation and weight management.

On the other hand, social isolation and loneliness lead to low social connection. Subsequently, individuals are more likely to exhibit antisocial behaviour and even suicidal behaviours. Similarly, Young (2017) notes that other locations have benefited from social connectedness. she further notes that; ” In Bucharest, the rate of teen suicides is dropping alongside use of drink and drugs.” Therefore, social relationships can play a very pivotal role in protecting an individual from antisocial behaviours and thoughts.

Conclusion

The benefits of social connectedness are an answer for most if not all community issues. The feeling of belonging and purpose in a community contributes to the health and well being of individuals. Iceland is an example of many other locations that value social connectedness as well as enjoyed benefits such as increased levels of happiness, reduced levels of stress, improved self-worth and confidence and low mental disorders. Therefore, the more a community is integrated and connected, the healthier it becomes. In conclusion, there is more benefit than harm in a community that is socially connected. The health of a community is a shared responsibility of all its members. Thus, governments need to implement community capacity and control interventions geared towards building and strengthening of social connections among younger generations.

References

Holt-Lunstad J, Smith TB, Layton JB (2010) Social Relationships and Mortality Risk: A Meta-analytic Review. PLoS Med 7(7): https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000316

Martino, J., Pegg, J., and Frates, E. P. (2017) 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. 11(6): 466–475

Wilkinson, A., Bowen, L., Gustavsson, E., Håkansson, S., Littleton, N., McCormick, J., … & Mulligan, H. (2019). Maintenance and Development of Social Connection by People with Long-term Conditions: A Qualitative Study. International journal of environmental research and public health, 16(11), 1875.

Young, E. (2017, January 19). How Iceland Got Teens to Say No to Drugs. Retrieved from https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2017/01/teens-drugs-iceland/513668/