It’s common for people to feel socially isolated at times, not enjoying going out and sometimes wanting to avoid people. But is it important to be social? The answer is yes! Too much isolation is harmful, and research has shown that having social connection is as important to health as diet and exercise.
There has been a lot of research into this area and while more research is still needed, there are many benefits that have been found so far:
People are increasingly interacting with one another over phones and social media, however face-to-face social connections have been shown to have the best outcome for health and wellbeing. Research into the brain shows that interacting face-to-face with people releases brain hormones (oxytocin and dopamine) which increases mood, lowers pain levels and decreases other hormones (cortisol) which lowers stress.
You can increase your social connection by dropping into your local Mates4Mates Family Recovery Centre or joining one of our social activities.
Find out more If any content in this article resonates with you and you’d like to speak with someone at Mates4Mates about seeking support, contact us to find out more about our services. All Mates4Mates services are available for current and ex-serving Australian Defence Force members with physical injuries or mental health issues, and their families.
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Women’s Health Week, held annually in September, focuses on helping women prioritise their health and wellbeing. The good news is that exercise can be beneficial for managing health conditions, particularly for matters of the heart.
