Week 5: Belonging is what keeps us healthy

Studies have shown that to stay healthy, of course it is good to exercise, eat nutritious food, and get good sleep. We all know that. And it is good to monitor alcohol and drug use and cut back on smoking. Yup, we've heard that before. Yet, listen to this: Over the long run the thing we can do to really stay healthy is the create connections. That is #1. Not just connect with the relationships we have, like family and friends, but every day relationships, like saying thank you to the delivery man, saying hi to a neighbor or thanking the barista. Making connections, that is the key to health, as Susan Pinker describes her research in her Ted Talk, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptIecdCZ3dg

The group we belong to is one of the most powerful influences, says Geoffrey Cohen in his book, Belonging. And others feel included when we ask the participants to do just that: Participate. Cohen uses the potent example of Outward Bound, where on their own the participants figure our how to achieve their goal. There are no lectures, no telling by authority. The power of carefully crafted situations is that the participants create their own process of how to work together to make a change, to survive, to thrive. Actively participating with each other while recognizing you need each other's input to be successful is what works.

Who do you connect with daily? Can you increase that circle of connections? Can you deepen your network with those you know well? Can you make a connection with those who you see during your day with an acknowledgement? A thank you? How about inviting others to join you? Connection is your key to health. Belonging feels good. Give it a try.