Optimize This: If You Care About Mental And Physical Health, This May Be The Missing Piece | Kasley Killam
Oct 7, 2024
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In this engaging discussion, Kasley Killam, an expert in social health and author of The Art and Science of Connection, delves into the crucial role of social connections in overall well-being. She highlights how strengthening our social 'muscles' can enhance both mental and physical health, sometimes even surpassing the benefits of exercise. Killam shares practical tips for identifying your social style and nurturing relationships, and explores the importance of vulnerability. She also discusses how societal structures and legislation can support these efforts for a healthier community.
Social health is crucial for overall well-being, directly impacting our physical and mental health outcomes, including chronic disease risk.
Recognizing personal social health styles allows individuals to tailor their connections for fulfilling relationships and improved well-being.
Incorporating simple daily interactions and systemic societal changes can significantly enhance social health, fostering stronger community bonds.
Deep dives
Understanding Social Health
Social health is defined as the aspect of overall well-being that stems from relationships and connections with others. It is recognized as equally important as physical and mental health, influencing various health outcomes such as risk for chronic diseases, mental well-being, and overall longevity. Research shows that the quality of one's social connections can directly impact factors such as heart disease and diabetes. By acknowledging social health as a vital component of overall health, individuals can prioritize actions that foster strong relationships just as they would for physical and mental wellness.
The Importance of Connection
Connection is vital for both mental and physical health, offering benefits that extend far beyond mere emotional support. Studies have established that feeling connected can buffer against stress and bolster immune function, showcasing its direct physiological impacts. For instance, individuals who feel supported and receive physical affection, such as hugs, display better health indicators and are less prone to illness. This link between social support and overall health highlights the necessity of nurturing relationships to promote longevity and well-being.
Social Fitness Styles
Social health is not one-size-fits-all, as individuals have varied social health styles that dictate their interaction preferences and needs. There are four distinct styles: social butterflies who thrive in casual interactions, wallflowers who prefer infrequent connection, fireflies who favor deep conversations with close contacts, and evergreens who enjoy sustained deep relationships. Understanding your social health style can help tailor social interactions to be fulfilling, rather than overwhelming, thereby promoting healthier connections. Recognizing these differences emphasizes that social health strategies should align with personal comfort levels.
Practical Steps for Enhancing Social Health
Incorporating simple, actionable steps into daily life can significantly improve social health. These include making a 'to-love' list of important people to connect with regularly, scheduling social interactions to ensure consistency, and sending brief, supportive messages to friends or family to maintain relationships. Engaging in hobbies with others also provides a natural setting for forming connections without the pressure of formal gatherings. These small yet deliberate actions can lead to stronger bonds and a greater sense of community.
The Role of Society in Social Health
The awareness of social health is growing, and there is potential for societal changes to promote it further through legislation and community initiatives. Countries like the UK and Japan have appointed ministers for loneliness, focusing on strategies to foster social connections at the national level. Creating environments conducive to social health involves not only individual efforts but also systemic changes such as integrating social health education into schools or developing community programs. By prioritizing social health as a collective goal, both individuals and society can thrive.
Up until now, in our culture, we’ve generally talked about physical health and mental health–but there’s an emerging consensus that the missing piece is social health.
But what can you actually do to improve your social health? Today we’re going deep with the scientist who has thought a lot about this, and has a ton of good advice.
Kasley Killam, MPH, is a leading expert in social health and the award-winning author ofThe Art and Science of Connection: Why Social Health is the Missing Key to Living Longer, Healthier, and Happier. As a graduate of the Harvard School of Public Health, sought-after advisor and keynote speaker, and founder of Social Health Labs, Killam has been improving global well-being through connection for over a decade. Her collaborations with organizations like Google, the US Department of Health and Human Services, and the World Economic Forum contribute to building more socially healthy products, workplaces, and communities. Killam’s insights can be found in outlets such as The New York Times, Forbes, NPR, Scientific American, Psychology Today, and The Washington Post.
In this episode we talk about:
Why social health is so important, and how it impacts our physical and mental health
How to figure out what your social style is
Tips for strengthening your social muscles
What you can do to boost your social health muscles
How much vulnerability is appropriate
How to have a healthy relationship with yourself
How legislation could help with social health
Emerging industries for social fitness
And lastly, how we can work towards creating a society that cultivates connection