Evidence continues to mount that social connections help us survive and thrive from the time we are infants to the twilight years of our lives. This excerpt from an article I recently discovered that appeared in The New York Times earlier this year suggests that it may be the degree of cognitive function used during social interactions that strengthens and preserves cognitive ability:
“So far, scientists here have found little evidence that diet or exercise affects the risk of dementia in people over 90. But some researchers argue that mental engagement — doing crossword puzzles, reading books — may delay the arrival of symptoms. And social connections, including interaction with friends, may be very important, some suspect. In isolation, a healthy human mind can go blank and quickly become disoriented, psychologists have found.
“There is quite a bit of evidence now suggesting that the more people you have contact with, in your own home or outside, the better you do” mentally and physically, Dr. Kawas said. “Interacting with people regularly, even strangers, uses easily as much brain power as doing puzzles, and it wouldn’t surprise me if this is what it’s all about.””
In the presentations and workshops Jason Pankau and I lead, we show people how connection = flourishing and life, and islolation = dysfunction and death. The effect of social interactions on our mental and physical health makes it important to evaluate whether we have sufficient connection — or vitamin “C”onnection, as the psychiatrist Dr. Ned Hallowell calls it — in our own lives. Many people I know, get vitamin C from being involved in a synagogue or church. Work is a source of connection for many, although it may become less so in the age of increasing online communication. As for me, I try to have lunch with someone almost every day or meet with someone over coffee. This energizes me physically and mentally. If I don’t take time to connect, I get lethargic.
In coming posts I’ll be exploring the barriers to connection.
