Issue No. 14

Why Our Social Lives Might Be Better For Us Than We Think

Phew! I survived my first week back at work and you know what? I actually found it supremely energizing. I dove right back into an event week, and while the lead up was riddled with frenetic energy, the event itself was exhilarating. Yes, it could absolutely be that I’m emerging from the slow moving cocoon of life with a baby, but I wasn’t the only one who walked away from the lunch absolutely buzzing. It felt like the first true day of spring in LA, and it reminded me just how powerful and important it is to stay social.

As we collectively shake off the cobwebs of winter (we’re now a month into spring, if you can believe it?!), the volume of social activity starts to kick into gear (and thankfully so)! Reconnecting with our people becomes a priority. Longer, warmer, sunlight-filled days boost serotonin all around us as we meet up with friends new and old, leaving the lonelier winter chapter behind. There is a reason this feels good, and not just because it’s fun. As humans, we were never meant to be isolated - we thrive in packs! In fact, as you’ll see below, science can explain exactly why staying social is integral to our mental, emotional, and even physical well-being.

Staying Social:

Releases feel-good hormones. Social activity has been shown to trigger the release of neurotransmitters and hormones such as oxytocin, serotonin, and dopamine, creating feelings of happiness, bonding, and pleasure. According to this same study, neuroscientists even found that “low social support is associated with higher levels of stress, depression, dysthymia, and post-traumatic stress disorder,” and, in turn, “increased morbidity and mortality from a host of medical illnesses.” Yikes.
Creates a sense of belonging. As humans, we are inherently social beings with a deep-seated need to belong. Thus, forging meaningful, lasting relationships creates a sense of support, inclusion, and acceptance. Ding, ding, ding!
Reduces stress and anxiety. These feelings of acceptance and inclusion (+ the feel good hormones in the first point), aid in easing anxiety and stress! Yes, please. This, not surprisingly, helps us avoid many of the negative health implications that come with stress.
Increases self-esteem and confidence. Social interactions, whether with friends, family, or romantic partners, also give us validation, encouragement, and positive feedback. Studies show that those with successful social lives have higher self-esteem(!).
Provides evolutionary advantages. This may seem primitive, but social connections have been essential to our survival and reproduction as we’ve evolved as a species. Being part of a “pack” meant sharing resources, protecting one another, and increasing our chances of finding a mate :)
Offers emotional support. This study found that those who provided emotional support to others also reported higher levels of well-being, particularly when they also received emotional support in return. That’s reciprocity at its finest!
Stimulates cognition: This one is fairly obvious, but studies show that social interaction promotes cognitive functioning!
Aids in longevity. Just last week I was just talking to a friend about Blue Zones on Netflix. (I admittedly haven’t watched it yet, but it’s on my list!). In it, National Geographic explorer Dan Buettner explores the five places across the world where people regularly live to 100 and beyond. The common thread? Residents of all five blue zones stayed active, ate a lot of plants, and formed long lasting social ties while prioritizing community.

As you can see, our social lives do more than keep us entertained – they help us meet fundamental human needs and play a pivotal role in our health and happiness. Nothing brings me more peace than remembering we’re all in this weird, crazy, often stressful life together.

When I’m on a health kick, it can be tempting to turn down social plans in lieu of “getting enough sleep” or “cooking a healthy dinner.” And yes, sleep and diet are massively important, but we often overlook the role our social lives play in our overall well-being. We also live in a digital era of convenience, robbed of so many of those interpersonal moments that used to naturally pepper our days. A nice chat with the cashier at CVS, for instance, is now three taps with your thumb on Amazon. With “IRL” moments fewer and further between, it’s more important than ever to prioritize our social engagements. On the heels of a pandemic that encouraged us to isolate, I cherish my relationships with friends, family, and co-workers more than I ever have before!

In case you needed a reminder, getting out there is good for us!

On the note of staying social, (if you’re reading this), I’d love to learn more about you!

The List