“The Connection Prescription,” as it’s been called....

“We don’t accomplish anything in this world alone… and whatever happens is the result of the whole tapestry of one’s life and all the weavings of individual threads from one to another that creates something.” - Sandra Day O’Connor

Simply put, human beings are social creatures. Sure, we all differ in how much social interaction we need but let’s face it, the connection prescription is a vital one.

Personally, outside of my work life, I lean more toward the introverted side. After a day filled with social interaction, I often need time alone to recharge. However, in saying that I have noticed only in the last few months now that my kids are young adults and living their own lives that I do require more social connection. I’ve had to push myself out of my comfort zone and interact more, it is paying off too. I’ve come to realise the quote above. That nothing is ever achieved alone, it does take more than one person to build the chain of events to happen.  And yes, there are still those times when I just require time out. Another balancing act, right?

Then there is the flip side, the extroverts that gain energy, recharge from being with others.

And then there are those that fall somewhere in between requiring both solitude and connection to feel balanced. Honestly, I think this is what I’m trying now.  It really doesn’t matter where you sit in this scale of personality, we are all unique and that’s what makes the world go round right (I heard that from my parents growing up a lot). So, with that in mind it’s down to “Whatever works for you”. A client has recently reminded me of something mum always said to me “You can only ever count your true friends on one hand.”

One Tip: Ask yourself is this really working for me? What could I change to make it even better…. 

The important thing is recognizing that social connection in whatever form it takes, is deeply tied to our well-being. It helps us feel seen, heard, supported, and purposeful. It’s not about how many people you connect with, but the quality and authenticity of those connections that matter.

Why Social Connection Matters – Backed by Research:

Stronger Together: A meta-analysis involving over 300,000 people found that individuals with strong social relationships have a 50% higher chance of living longer, regardless of age or health status. – Holt-Lunstad et al., PLOS Medicine, 2010

As Essential as Oxygen: Lack of social connection has been shown to be more harmful to health than smoking, obesity, and high blood pressure

Purpose and Belonging: Feeling connected to others gives us a sense of purpose, self-worth, and belonging core ingredients for a fulfilling life.

Reading through this research really made me pause and reflect. I’ve always known that connection matters, but I don’t think I fully grasped how much it matters, both to our health and our sense of meaning.

Science confirms what our hearts already know: we’re wired for connection. And whether you’re someone who thrives in a crowd or someone who treasures a quiet chat with one trusted soul, what matters is that you find your own rhythm of connection. That’s the prescription we all need.

A Gentle Invitation: 

So maybe today, take a moment to check in with someone, send a message, share a laugh, or simply sit and be present with them. It doesn’t have to be big. Often, it’s the small, consistent threads of connection that weave the strongest bonds.

And if you’re feeling a little disconnected yourself, know that you’re not alone. Start small. Reach out. Reconnect. Our well being depends on it, yours and mine.

Back to Balance,

Lee

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