Why social health is key to happiness and longevity | Kasley Killam
Feb 24, 2025
auto_awesome
Social scientist Kasley Killam, an expert on the impact of social connections, dives into the often-overlooked aspect of social health. She reveals how a sense of belonging can significantly enhance happiness and longevity. Kasley shares compelling stories, illustrating the consequences of social neglect. She introduces the 5-3 guideline for nurturing relationships, emphasizing the importance of diversifying interactions and dedicating time to meaningful engagements. Ultimately, she underscores that true well-being encompasses physical, mental, and social health.
Social health, involving connections with others, is essential for overall well-being and can directly influence happiness and longevity.
Implementing the 5-3 guideline encourages meaningful interactions that strengthen relationships and foster a sense of belonging and community support.
Deep dives
The Importance of Social Health
Social health is a crucial aspect of overall well-being that is often overlooked in traditional health discussions. It encompasses connections with family, friends, coworkers, and the community, highlighting the importance of nurturing relationships alongside physical and mental health. Many people, like Maya, may focus solely on exercise and therapy, neglecting the social connections that can provide essential support and fulfillment. A lack of social health can lead to a variety of health issues, including increased stress and a higher risk of chronic diseases.
Strategies for Enhancing Social Connections
To improve social health, the 5-3 guideline is suggested, which encourages individuals to interact with five different people each week, strengthen at least three close relationships, and dedicate one hour a day to meaningful connections. Engaging with a diverse range of people can enhance feelings of belonging and happiness, similar to the benefits of a varied diet. Additionally, investing time in close relationships helps solidify bonds and ensures support networks are in place. Even quick interactions, such as a smile or brief conversation, can significantly boost one's sense of connection.
A Vision for the Future of Social Health
There's a call to action for society to prioritize social health on a larger scale, envisioning future changes in education and urban planning that emphasize the importance of relationships. Just as mental health has gained recognition over the years, the hope is that social health will become a central focus for individuals and communities alike. This societal shift could drastically reduce feelings of loneliness and foster environments conducive to building strong connections. Ultimately, nurturing social health benefits not only the individual but also enhances the well-being of the broader community.
You know it's important to take care of your physical and mental health. But what about your social health? Social scientist Kasley Killam shows how feeling a sense of belonging and connection has concrete benefits to your overall health — and explains why it may be the missing key to living a longer and happier life.