The importance of connection

by Katia

Did you know that our health increases when we connect with others?

We physically and chemically receive positive benefits from being in the proximity of others and, equally, if we aren’t able to find this connection our health is negatively impacted:

lacking social connections is a comparable risk factor for early death as smoking 15 cigarettes a day, and is worse for us than well-known risk factors such as obesity and physical inactivity.

And even more starkly:

Loneliness increases the likelihood of mortality by 26%.[1]

 

We all want a sense of belonging, a feeling of community and hope that the people in our lives both encourage and support us at all times. Connection offers us a feeling of purpose.

I love the idea of the positive consequences we can all create if we just take a few minutes out to have a chat with our neighbour or that person we see once a week. I know how busy life can feel but the possibilities offered through new connections are endless and surely worth the extra 5 or 10 minutes they may take.

This quote from Bruce Lipton an American developmental biologist who wrote the book The Biology of Belief sums it up well for me:

We are all cells in the same body and when we work together we will create magic on this earth like nothing has ever been seen before

So let’s all create a little more magic this year and take time for each other and ourselves.

I hope to see you on the mat, at the studio or around and about soon.

Katia x

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[1] Research and further information can be found from the Campaign to end loneliness:  http://www.campaigntoendloneliness.org/