Step #8 - Prioritize Social Engagement & Relationships

Connection. What does that word mean to you? Is it the time you spend on a computer online and on social media? Or is it the time you spend with other people having one-on-one time, face-to-face, in-person contact? Both meanings are correct. However, one can seem impersonal and can often be anonymous, while the other requires real effort and personal involvement. Now don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with being active online and on social media. The key is prioritization. We can all enjoy technology while still setting aside the time to cultivate our personal relationships.

Being connected online seems to be the way many people choose to interact with others these days, but it frequently doesn't actually involve human contact. Making a personal connection with someone takes much more effort than a simple click to get online or a tap on your phone to "share" something on social media. Sadly, many of the most "connected" people on social media deal with loneliness. Loneliness caused by such impersonal social engagement can actually be detrimental to our overall health and well-being. As human beings, we are designed to create and develop relationships with other human beings. We aren't meant to spend the majority of our time engrossed in technology. In actuality, giving too much priority to our online connection can isolate us from the very people we are trying to connect with on a personal level.

Studies have shown that most people living in blue zones are surrounded by family and friends and have spent a lifetime prioritizing personal relationships. Personal interaction with another person brings a genuine connection that you just can't get from a computer or phone app. You get a sense of that person's energy, their knowledge, and their experience, and it is totally reciprocal. They get to know you too. Just think of the wealth of wisdom that the older generation has to offer. If we don't take the time to connect and develop relationships with our elders, we run the risk of losing out on all of that. Grandma's secret recipe? Most likely, the only way to get that is from Grandma, not online.

An excellent way to boost your social engagement is by volunteering, and the health benefits are tremendous. Quite often those who volunteer admit that they get as much, if not more, out of their service to others as the people they are serving. A sense of accomplishment, satisfaction, fulfillment, and joy are all by-products of volunteering. I encourage you to consider it!

The value you place on your personal relationships and being socially engaged does have an impact on your overall health. It's not good to spend too much time with your face buried in your phone or computer screen, so if you tend to lose track of time when online, disconnect and take a break. Purposely set a time limit on the amount of time you spend online. Then make it a priority to spend some quality time with family and friends. You'll reap all of the health benefits that come with it, including increased longevity.

Enjoy the video, and as always, please feel free to pass this along!

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