The Power of Human Connection
Last month we got an insider look into the 2020 Global Wellness Summit, where we were able to learn about the future of wellness, the technology behind these innovations, and much more. But one topic stuck out most to us – the power of human connection. This is especially important due to how 2020 has been, and, as a community-driven company, we were incredibly intrigued.
Everything that has happened throughout this eventful (to say the least!) year has had an impact on our lives one way or another, but the safety requirements due to COVID-19 have been exceptionally vital in the epidemic of loneliness. While the pandemic isn’t completely to blame for this deadly, yet invisible, health problem, it has substantially exacerbated the issue.
The keynote discussion during the conference was between 17th Surgeon General of the United States Dr. Richard Carmona and 19th Surgeon General of the United States Dr. Vivek Murthy in which they discussed Dr. Vivek H. Murthy’s book, Together: The Healing Power of Human Connection.
Referring to their experience as Surgeon Generals for the United States, they noted that 90 percent of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) – which is over $3 trillion a year – is mostly spent on preventable diseases. Dr. Carmona believes mental health challenges are somewhat marginalized and aren’t given the proper spotlight that is needed when it comes to depression, anxiety, and loneliness.
According to Dr. Murthy, identifying loneliness may not be taught in medical school, but it should be, because the science overwhelmingly shows its incredible impact on our health: leading to everything from heart disease, to dementia, to early death.
However, there are tons of resources available, some of which we’re not even aware of. When we can build relationships with others and form meaningful, human connections, we can actually contribute to healing in a profound way.
According to Dr. Murthy, as a whole, we need to work harder on our social relations and connection in all aspects of life. At work, in schools, and not just with close family and friends, but in the simple ways we connect with strangers.
“Connections are almost an antidote to offset the terrible secret of loneliness.”
These connections don’t have to be with people with whom we have relationships. As long as they are high quality connections, they can have the power to heal. A high quality connection can be considered a brief interaction with someone that’s positive or that’s marked by kindness and compassion, which can have a long term impact on those you may interact with, even for just a few seconds.
With this knowledge, we should recognize that it isn’t only about how we treat people with whom we have long term relationships in our life, in our family, and in our friends. It’s also about how we treat strangers and people we may encounter in our neighborhood, or at the grocery store because the slightest of encounters have an impact on one's wellbeing.
Human connection, whether it is from the relationships we have or the small moments of interactions with others, have a powerful impact on our lives.
“All of us have the power to be healers, because all of us have the power to be kind, to be compassionate, and to be loving.”
The more we have meaningful social relationships in our life, the more it enhances all dimensions of our life. We find that not only do social connections enhance our physical and mental health, including our cognitive function, but it also enhances how we perform in school or in the workplace – it enhances our communities and our ability to have dialogue with one another.
With our focus here at Tech Square ATL (TSQATL) Social Club being centered around providing productive collaborations in a curated environment designed to foster growth and innovation, we more than understand the power of human connection. Whether it’s through our shared workspace or our events, we help nurture and shape connections that otherwise may not have happened. Learn more about what we do as a community through the stories we tell or experience it yourself and be a part of something great.
DID YOU KNOW?
Approximately 51 million adults in the U.S. suffer from some sort of mental health issue.
How are you connecting with others in today’s current state? Let us know in the comments below.