February PEAKS: Understanding the Power of Social Interaction

Whew - you made it through January! Boy, what a news filled January it was! How are you doing? What makes you smile that you have accomplished so far this year?

For me, I am glad to be almost out of my boot after breaking my toe. And I appreciate the gift as it allowed me to refine my messaging to clients (and you!) that pain and tissue damage are not the same thing. My toe (was and still is broken): fact. I have had very little pain other than the first couple of days: fact (you’ll have to believe me on this). I appreciate that friends helped me with making dinner (thanks Kathryn!) and loaning me a scooter (thanks Keith!)

This leads us to a key strategy of pain reduction (and lifestyle medicine) that many people miss: relationships! Social connectedness is a HUGE factor in personal feelings of happiness and belonging, and this means that it’s mightily important for your health and pain reduction.

Let's review a few facts and ideas for increasing community in your life: 

PAIN

This study reports that levels of social connectedness and community among chronic pain patients resulted in lower reported pain and lower reported opioid abuse. Another Meta-analysis reported a higher risk of mortality for those lacking social connection than exposure to air pollution, obesity, and even alcohol! 

Take-home message here: be social! It can decrease your pain and enhance your health.

EXERCISE

We’re learning more and more about the impact of group or social-based activities on adherence to exercise routines.

Several studies report that engaging in group activities helps you stay more active. “Humans derive intrinsic pleasure from connecting, coordinating and cooperating together, and that our cooperative sociality profoundly influences homeostatic function, wellbeing and health”. 

What are some possible reasons exercise and friends go together like PB&J? Because it's an opportunity to spend time with friends and family while doing something good for our health. Sure, going out to a restaurant is great, however, the deep-fried processed food is not beneficial for our health. 

We help each other stay accountable when we commit to meet for a dance party or pickleball. For the competitive people out there, we might even just work a little harder when we are with a friend. 

ALL ABOUT WELLNESS

This won’t come as a surprise to you: social connectedness increases feelings of belonging, happiness, self-efficacy, overall well-being, etcetera etcetera!

Brene Brown (I so want to be her friend!) tells us we are driven for connection. Science tells us it IS good for our health and for pain.

Well, wellness, your wellness: what do you think about that? There are infinite ways to rewrite your health story. Is today the day you boost your health and ease your pain by calling a friend or going for a walk with your neighbor?

KRAVEABLE RECIPES

If you didn't know, I have been taking improv classes for three years. It is a healthy addiction! If you’re curious, come join me! Another friend, Diane, started taking classes too.

We did a crazy fun thing last fall. We invited several friends to my house and asked them to bring an ingredient of choice-all the ingredients were revealed after everyone arrived. The fun task for Diane and me was to create a meal out of the ingredients - no Google or cookbooks allowed! Our friends enjoyed the social connection around the fire pit while we cooked.

Improv lunch! We have since renamed it “Laughter and Lunch”.

While I cannot share the recipes we made up, I'll share a few ideas below for February (you can “improv” your own ingredients).
Healthy Granola
Roasted Veggies
50 Healthy Breakfast Recipes

SILLY

Of course, now this topic has to be improv! This is a favorite short form game of mine: New Choice

See you in March!

Thanks for reading! Make sure to check out last month's newsletter that was all about goal setting and keeping, and tag along for next month's newsletter where we talk about how to integrate the six pillars of Lifestyle Medicine into your pain journey.