If this last year has taught us anything, it is that we need other people. So many people found quarantining to be difficult, and for some, it became defeating. Having a social network and engaging in social activities isn’t just important for extroverts. Even introverts need to engage in some level of social activity consistently. Here are 7 ways our bodies and minds thrive on togetherness.
1. Social activity can decrease anxiety and depression.
Spending time with people we love and find interesting improves our moods. It can also inspire us to be more interested in activities and learning. Our brains love to be active and engaging with others and learning new things improves their cognitive function and memory.
2. Togetherness can help regulate emotions.
When we spend a lot of time alone, it is easy to dwell in negative thoughts or to develop a skewed perspective of a situation. When we interact with others, we can relieve that stress by discussing our thoughts, receiving feedback, and focusing on other activities and ideas. Spending time with others generally improves our health, which can also increase happier feelings.
3. Participating in social activities leads to higher self-esteem.
When we spend time around people who love us and find us interesting, we naturally feel more valued, valuable, and interesting. Receiving other people’s positive attention proves to us, subconsciously, that we are worthy of attention and can help us think more positively about ourselves.
4. Having a strong social network improves our immune systems and heart health.
Studies show that people who feel lonely have a higher level of the stress hormone cortisol which is associated with chronic stress. This can lead to cardiovascular disease. Having a limited social support system has been associated with a greater risk of cancer, heart disease, impaired immune function, and limited recovery from those health problems. Socializing and knowing that we have others to support us can decrease our chronic stress and encourage us to take better care of our health problems when they do arise.
5. Our brains work better when we work together.
Even though social interaction involves complex functions in the brain, it appears to make tasks easier. That doesn’t mean that we have to make everything a group project, but it can mean that if we have company completing tasks that stress us, we can make them less stressful. If you have errands to do, invite a friend along to do their errands at the same time. If you have some yard work to complete, do a yard work swap in which a friend helps you with yours and you help them with theirs. The tasks will feel like they take half the time, and you will improve your mood by doing them with someone who makes you happy.
6. Socialization increases our empathy.
When we spend time with other people, we relate better to other people, which seems obvious. It also means that we gain a greater understanding for the experiences of others and gain empathy for others. This can improve our outlook on the world and help us feel compassion for the difficulties of other people. When we have greater compassion for others, not only do people enjoy our company more but we also can feel less stress about the events of the world, which improves our overall health.
7. Togetherness helps us live longer.
Harvard researchers have found that people who are isolated have a 50% greater chance of premature death than those who have strong social ties. They speculate that there are a variety of factors involved in that, including all the positive outcomes of having a strong support network. Having other people around us whom we care about inspires us and helps us enjoy life.
With all of the evidence that having a strong social network improves our lives and our health, now is the time to reach out to friends and family, even those you haven’t talked to in a long time. Though in-person socialization seems to lead to better outcomes, even on-line meetings and emails have positive effects. If you’re looking for even more ways to improve your mood and sense of well-being, make sure you eat a diet rich in antioxidants. A variety of studies have linked them to decreased anxiety and depression and overall improved body health. Superberries Aronia berries are an excellent source of antioxidants, and you can easily incorporate them into your daily diet. Now is the time to make a few simple adjustments that can reap great rewards.