How to Feel More Connected To Your Community

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We're starting to hear this sentiment more often: Loneliness is the new smoking. 

Feeling lonely has been connected to increased health risks, like heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, infections, cognitive function, depression and anxiety, and suicide and self-harm. Loneliness has been been found to increase one's risk of heart disease the same amount as smoking 15 cigarettes per day!

A new report released by the Surgeon General called "Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation"  brings national attention to this latest public health crisis. But it's not all doom and gloom! The report also talks about how Americans can maximize the "healing effects of social connection and community."




If we want to feel more connected to our communities but aren't sure how to start, here are a few suggestions: 

1. Volunteer

    Making yourself available to those in need can help you understand how important you are to society. When you devote yourself to a cause you care deeply about, you feel fulfilled, connected, and valuable! When you serve others, mutual appreciation is shared. Plus, it's a great way to meet new people who care about the same causes you do!

2. Go out in public- yes, by yourself!

    To feel less lonely, go out where the people are! Take yourself to a concert, go sit for a couple hours at a café, or sign up for a class on something you've always wanted to learn. Bring an attitude of openness, and be ready to exchange a kind word with a stranger. Strike up a conversation -about the weather, your delicious latte, the cute dog you see, anything- and see where it leads! 

3. Animals 

     This hack works 2 ways: 

A. Bonding with an animal releases oxytocin the same way that bonding with humans does! So yes, your dog (who's your best friend, obviously) does trigger your brain in the same way as connecting with a human friend.

B. If your dog is cute enough (and of course he/she is!), people will feel compelled to come up to you and chat ... probably about how cute your dog is. Walking a dog signals that you're a nice person: you are taking good care of another living being! (And if you're walking a cat, lizard, rabbit, chicken, etc. on a leash - people will DEFINITLY come up and chat!)

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