Overview
A community isn’t a specific place or organization. Community is the relationship between people.
We are all part of multiple communities and many overlap with one another. We may start by coming together to meet our common need for connection. In time, we become part of something bigger than ourselves.
There can be many benefits when you’re an active member of a community or group:
- Communities provide us with a sense of safety and comfort. They can also increase our resilience.
- Being around people who prioritize wellness can inspire us to do the same. This goes both ways, as our wellness practices can have a positive ripple effect on others in the community.
- Communities help us understand who we are and what our purpose is. We can feel less stressed when we belong to something bigger than us.
- We can learn from the different experiences of others. We can make connections and friends with people who share our interests and values.
- We may feel a sense of responsibility for others, giving us a sense of self-worth and belonging. We can contribute to the past, present, and future of the community.
Finding a Balance
We all need to balance our alone time with social time. You may think of this balance as your “social battery”.
Just like your phone battery is drained after being used all day, your social battery can run low after being around others for too long. When your social battery is full, you are ready and excited to be around other people. When it’s low, you can feel tired, overstimulated, and ready to be alone. This is normal, and everyone’s social battery charges to a different level. Spending time alone can be good when used to reflect, recharge, and relax.
Loneliness can be unhealthy. When we are isolated from others, we can feel sad, disconnected, or like we don’t fit in anywhere. When we feel alone, our bodies are flooded with cortisol. This leads to higher levels of stress and can have long-term negative effects. When we don't have strong social connections, we are more likely to face long-term health problems like a weaker immune system and heart issues. Feeling lonely can also make it harder for us to make healthy choices and we have an increased risk of engaging in unhealthy habits.
There are many reasons why we might be isolated from others:
- There might be social barriers that can make us feel excluded or unwelcome.
- Health issues can lead to difficulty connecting to others.
- We could live somewhere remote that limits social interactions.
- We may have gone through a tough time recently, like losing a loved one or a break-up. This can drive us to isolate and make it hard to return to normal.
- We can sometimes rely too much on modern technology and social media to interact with others. As a result, many have trouble interacting face-to-face.
If you notice you or someone you know struggling with isolation, there are things you can do to help.