#115 Summer of Friendship - Friendship for Your Health

Did you know that in May the US Surgeon General declared LONELINESS a public health epidemic?

SG Murthy said half of US adults experience loneliness, and that it can be as dangerous as smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day. Research over the years has also found isolation can lead to sleep issues, depression, anxiety, heart disease, stroke, and dementia.

This is a public health crisis, but it doesn’t have to be.

Because friend, the opposite is true too. While being isolated, not experiencing meaningful connection can have negative effects on your health.

Friendship, spending time with other and connecting, is so good for you and your health!

Let's talk about the benefits.

Here are the research studies referenced:

• https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/surgeon-general-social-connection-advisory.pdf
• https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_your_social_life_might_help_you_life_longer
• https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321019#Face-to-face-contact-is-like-a-vaccine
• https://www.newyorker.com/science/maria-konnikova/social-media-affect-math-dunbar-number-friendships
• https://www.everydayhealth.com/emotional-health/social-support.aspx
• https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-the-need-to-belong-2795393

To go along with this series, I’m hosting a Summer Friendship Challenge. If you’re ready to dig in with intentionality this summer, I’d love for you to jump in. Each week of the challenge, you’ll get an email with a small action step to help you cultivate community. If you’re already subscribed to the GTL newsletter, you’re in! If you’re not a subscriber yet, join the challenge here:

Summer Friendship Challenge

 

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