More Than Medicine: Why Connection is a Powerful Tool
More Than Medicine: Why Connection is a Powerful Tool
As humans, we have an innate need for connection and community. In our fast-paced society, it is so easy to get swept up in everything and everyone around us and lose sight of these fundamental aspects of our wellbeing. As a naturopath, I see first-hand the impact that a strong community and social network can have on ones physical and emotional health. We don’t have to be rushing through every moment, leaving ourselves with no time to properly connect with our loved ones.
After recently planning an overseas trip to travel through Europe, I was reflecting on the reasons why it brings so much joy and what I’m most looking forward to, the main reason being: I can wake up on my own accord, go down to the local café and enjoy my espresso with my loved ones and take the day as slow as I want, with little to no responsibilities for the 2 months that I will be away. It had me thinking about this fast-paced life style that we are all so caught up in, and how different our way of life is. We rush to go to work, hoping the day will pass by quickly, rushing quickly to get home, just to cook dinner, clean, go to sleep and repeat, leaving little time to enjoy the small moments throughout the day and spend quality time with those around us.
After also reading an interesting article written about “The Roseto Effect”, it really reiterated to me the importance of community and connection. The research showed that a group of people from one town all had a significantly lower rate of heart disease than any others around them. They looked at all possible variables and came down to one conclusion: your relationship with others affects your risk of heart disease.
By making a conscious choice to connect with others in each moment, whether its with those you work with, family members, or even strangers on the street, we have the power to make a significant impact on the way we relate to each other. Each choice we make to build connections can be like a small step, contributing to a larger, collective shift towards healthier and more fulfilling relationships. This can help us to live in the moment and truly enjoy our time here. It can help to give us a sense of purpose, more happiness, improved mental health and increased resilience, whilst also reducing our risk of heart disease which is growing each decade.