Connection
Connection includes social connection, connection to self, breath and the natural world around us. The latter two have been covered in our other pillars. Social connection is now considered to be a fundamental human need (1). Oxytocin is the chemical released from the brain when we connect and bond with others. When released, oxytocin makes you feel good and works synergistically with other neurotransmitters to reduce anxiety and stress (2). Research also demonstrates that the benefits of social connection are linked to the stimulation of the reward system in our brain which serves to increase positive feelings (3).
Consequently, research has demonstrated that connection can support health in a variety of ways including:
Reducing stress (4)
Enhancing mood, reducing depressive symptoms (5) and improving post traumatic stress disorder symptoms (4)
Improving blood sugar levels (6)
Supporting longevity (7)
Reducing levels of inflammation in the body (3)
Increasing resistance to a variety of somatic diseases ranging from heart disease (8) to cancer (9)
Humans are wired to connect with other people but with an increasing number of people working from home, connecting online and spending more time isolated, we are losing the benefits of connecting in person. We want to offer you a way of bringing this delight back in to your lives so you can improve your wellbeing and connect with like-minded individuals. All our services provide a means to do this, including group sauna sessions, group movement classes and retreats.
Humans are wired to connect.
References:
Esfahani-Smith E. The power of meaning: crafting a life that matters. New York: Crown Publishing; 2017.
Olff, M., Frijling, J. L., Kubzansky, L. D., Bradley, B., Ellenbogen, M. A., Cardoso, C., ... & Van Zuiden, M. (2013). The role of oxytocin in social bonding, stress regulation and mental health: an update on the moderating effects of context and interindividual differences. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 38(9), 1883-1894.
Eisenberger, N. I., & Cole, S. W. (2012). Social neuroscience and health: neurophysiological mechanisms linking social ties with physical health. Nature neuroscience, 15(5), 669-674.
Olff M. Bonding after trauma: on the role of social support and oxytocin system in traumatic stress. Eur J Psychotraumatol. 2012;3:1-11.
Cruwys T, Dingle GA, Haslam C, Haslam SA, Jetten J, Morton TA. Social group memberships protect against future depression, alleviate depression symptoms and prevent depression relapse. Soc Sci Med. 2013;98:179-186.
Shaya FT, Chirikov VV, Howard D, et al. Effect of social networks interventionin type 2 diabetes: a partial randmoised study. J Epidemiol Community Health. 2014;68:326-332.
Holt-Lunstad, J., Smith, T.B. & Layton, J.B. Social relationships and mortality risk: a meta-analytic review. PLoS Med. 7, e1000316 (2010).
Martino, J., Pegg, J., & Frates, E. P. (2017). The connection prescription: using the power of social interactions and the deep desire for connectedness to empower health and wellness. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 11(6), 466-475
Miller, G., Chen, E. & Cole, S.W. Health psychology: developing biologically plausible models linking the social world and physical health. Annu. Rev. Psychol. 60, 501–524 (2009)