Happiness Is Other People
Over the last several months you've likely seen some version of this fact attributed to Margaret Mead. The first sign of civilization in ancient culture is a healed femur fracture. One cannot walk with a fractured femur so a healed bone indicates that the person who broke the bone must have been cared for and provided for by others in order to survive. While there may be debate over whether or not Mead said this or that such an event marks the beginning of civilization, this statement is repeated because it FEELS true.
Civilization and society feel like they must have arisen based on the inherent need for connection between people and the desire to do things for the good of others. What we know instinctively is that people are not meant to live in isolation. Humans, like so much of the animal kingdom, are social creatures.
We need one another not only to survive but to thrive.
This, of course, is why the pandemic has been so hard for so many. Overnight we lost a huge amount of social connection. Casual conversations with coworkers don't happen from home as they did in the office. Whereas we may be more productive at home, the social connections suffer because chatting now needs to be scheduled. We spent all of last year without festivals, concerts, and large-scale events where we could gather with groups of like-minded people to form new bonds. For those who like to travel like I do, a year without a trip to somewhere new and different to learn new ways of doing things and meet new people felt more than a little empty.
It turns out that connection to others is scientifically proven to help increase happiness levels and keep you healthier overall. Whether it's from spending time with others or simply knowing that there are people who care about your wellbeing, the stronger your social connections are, the better. It's not just knowing that people are looking out for you that helps, helping others is a huge benefit to you in terms of both health and happiness.
So as the world opens up again, how will you strengthen and celebrate your own social connections?
Will you start meeting people for coffee or lunch again instead of online?
Will you start taking walks with people you've missed spending time with?
Will you travel to see friends and family who live far away?
Will you travel to meet new people?
Will you perform simple acts of kindness for those you know or those you don't?
These connections are important for both introverts and extroverts. A caution to the introverts who are inexplicably itchy to get out and see people again, take it slow. You're likely out of practice and recovery will take longer than it used to. Please take this advice from someone who attended 2 graduation parties and 3 casual get-togethers her first weekend out…and then slept for an entire day to recover. Pace yourself.
However you choose to renew your social connections, do it intentionally. Your efforts will benefit you and the world.
We're all in this together.
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