The newest well-being promoter that no-one is talking about…

Last week we discussed how our home and work environments can impact our mental health, and some ideas of what we can do to improve them.

This week we will cover the final part of the environmental trilogy, social environment, which includes connection with other human beings (our relationships) and having animals around us.

There are many different kinds of relationships, from fleeting passings in the street when we just make eye contact with someone through to all types of acquaintance, friendship, family, work and romantic/emotional partnerships.

Whatever kind of relationships we have, humans need positive connection.

Connection

Lack of connection will lead to loneliness and isolation, which has a severely detrimental effect on mental health. According to the National Institute on Aging the health risks of prolonged isolation are equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day!

A critical part of why COVID was so detrimental to so many was because of the social isolation measures put in place to try to manage it (you can see our full blog on this here). Social isolation is used as a punishment for a reason! Humans are pack animals and are wired to need each other and bond for survival.

Human bonds

The human need for connection and the role of oxytocin, the human bonding hormone, was largely ignored in the COVID lockdown measures. It is my belief that we do not yet fully understand the importance of oxytocin in the human body and that it has a far wider role to play than solely in bonding. From my own experience, I have detected its critical role in the production of happy hormones like dopamine and serotonin. On subsequent research, studies do indeed show that oxytocin can stimulate the release of dopamine (1), and we already know that low levels of dopamine are associated with depression.  Therefore, a lack of oxytocin, as a result of absence of connection, can lead to depression.  Acting in a downward spiral, depression often causes us to isolate ourselves, which leaves us feeling more alone and results in lower and lower levels of oxytocin production.

Oxytocin is also a ‘well-being’ promoter as it can reduce anxiety and the symptoms of stress including reducing blood pressure and cortisol levels.  Oxytocin also increases pain thresholds and promotes growth and healing (2).

Animal companions

Many people have pets, which can play an important role in human mental wellness.  Studies show that having a pet can contribute to stress reduction through many different channels including companionship, providing routine or structure, providing purpose, encouraging exercise (for example taking dogs for walks), relaxation or play time with the pet and stroking or petting animals.  Having pets can also encourage connectedness both with the animal and also with other humans, for example chatting to other dog walkers or playing with a pet and your significant other or friends.

As an aside, people with pets are shown to have a wider diversity of gut bacteria and stronger immunity.  This is likely not just because of the positive psychological aspects of owning a pet but also because of the beneficial microbes that they bring into the home environment (caution however as there can be negative aspects too, such as toxoplasmosis and other diseases).

What can we do?

Connection can be as simple as a smile swapped with a person you pass on the street, to a lifelong friendship or deeply committed, loving romantic relationship.  However, people can be in a romantic relationship and feel extremely lonely, and be single and not at all lonely, or often somewhere between the two.

When we’re lonely and isolated, even just another human being walking past us on the street who acknowledges us with a look can really improve our mood; a smile or wink will lift many.  So if you’re feeling low, I recommend you do your best to just get out and connect with someone, even if it is just popping to the local shop for a paper.  If you feel able to, try to reach out to a friend or family member for a chat.  It doesn’t have to involve telling them you’re feeling low, unless you want to.

Otherwise, maybe you have a pet, or can borrow someone else’s pet.  Maybe you could offer to take a neighbour’s dog for a walk, sign up for Borrow my Doggy, visit a cat cafe or do a pet-sit for a neighbour or on websites like TrustedHouseSitters.  Or maybe just go out for a walk and talk to dog walkers.  Often the dog will come and greet you, which is a great way to start a chat with the owner.  Try to make this a regular habit.  It will get you out of the house and exercising, connecting with people and interacting with loving animals, all of which will lift your mood.

Other topics

I promised to discuss the ‘man cave’, which I know is a favourite especially among men and many women too.  However, being known as ‘verbose’ at times, 😜 I got a little over-excited with how much I wanted to share with you, and am keen to keep this to a fairly quick read.  So why not head over to read the rest of what I wrote on the topic of romantic/emotional relationships (including the man cave) here.

Next week

So far, in our Building Blocks Model to Mental Health, we have discussed Building Block 1: nutrition and bodily ingestion, Block 2: the physical environment trilogy of i): toxicology, ii): work / home and iii): social environment.  Next week we will move onto the next Building Block, which is to start to discuss our massive toolkit of practical actions that we can take and the skills we can apply to support our mental health.

Learn more

*** HURRY!  Early bird discount ends on 21st February 2023 ***

If you’re enjoying what we’ve discussed so far, then you will LOVE our Mental Health Getaways! 

We do a deeper dive into all of these topics, and the remaining Building Blocks Model for Mental Health (Building Block 3: Toolkit and Skills, Building Block 4: Belief Systems and Building Block 5: Pursuit) on our Mental Health Getaways.

These Getaways are for those with a sense of dissatisfaction in their lives (physical, mental, career or relationships), or low-level depression or anxiety.  They are designed to identify, intervene and prevent depression and anxiety, and to promote good mental and physical health.  They are not meant for those with serious mental health problems.  There are other support networks and organisations available for more severe conditions.

The Getaways are based on new scientific understandings about why mental health isn’t all in your head.  We have group discussions and share unique tried and tested techniques that are not available anywhere else. We also have a session with a Mindset Transformation Coach who will come and work with us to empower us to achieve our goals, thereby effecting positive mental health and lifestyle change for a happier, more fulfilled life.

This isn't just about thinking differently; it is transformational change to thrive in your best body, mind, career & relationships.

The next Getaway from Thursday 20th to Sunday 23rd April is for men only, however we will be running some for women (and other identities) soon, so please register your interest here.

Why not book your spot to get away from the drag of your normal life, stay in luxurious accommodation in the heart of the Cotswolds AONB and have our private chef look after you for the entire weekend feeding you delicious, nutritious, all organic meals whilst you kick back, relax and connect with others and learn about the building blocks for good mental health.  Once you know the basics, we’ll layer up with tools and techniques to improve your mental health and we’ll have sessions with a Transformational Life Coach to help you work out what is working and what needs to change.  We’ll then support you in making those changes.

But hurry, the early bird discount, starting at £767 (pp for two sharers) is only available until 21st February when it reverts to full price.

Full details including pictures of our exclusive accommodation are here.

See the schedule here.

See the luxurious accommodation and book here.

If this isn’t for you right now, no worries!  We’ll continue to send out useful information, you can connect with us on Facebook and Instagram for tips and you can benefit from 1-2-1 consulting on your preferred specific areas here.

Well wishes,

Andie. x

References

(1) Oxytocin, Motivation and the Role of Dopamine, Tiffany M. Love, Journal of Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behaviour, vol. 119, Apr 2014

(2) Oxytocin, a mediator of anti-stress, well-being, social interaction, growth and healing, Uvnas-Moberg and Petersson, Zeitschrift fur Psychosomatische Medizin und Psychotherapie / Magazine for Psychosomatic Medicine and Pyschotherapy, vol, 51, no 1, 2005.