💚 Week 3: Social Connectedness — Small Moments, Big Impact

By Ashlyn Smith, MMS, PA-C, DipACLM, BC-ADM, DFAAPA, LSC

ELM Endocrinology & Lifestyle Medicine

Have you ever wondered if it matters when you wave hi to your neighbor or tell the grocery store clerk to have a good day?

It turns out… it does.

Social connectedness isn’t just “nice to have." It’s foundational to our health.

In fact, social rejection activates similar pathways in the brain as physical pain. On the flip side, even small moments of connection can have meaningful, positive effects for both people involved.

Connection is foundational health.

💡 Why Connection Matters

In positive psychology, well-being is often described through PERMA:

• Positive emotion

• Engagement

• Relationships

• Meaning

• Accomplishment

Relationships are a core pillar, but here’s what’s especially powerful:

Emotions spread through our social networks—up to 3 degrees of separation.

That means:

• Your mood can influence your friend

• Your friend’s friend

• And even their friend

So when you bring positivity to one interaction, you may be impacting people you’ll never even meet.

🧠 What the Research Shows

• A Harvard study of adult development identified relationships as a form of self-care

• The well-known “Nun Study” found that over 50% of nuns with a positive outlook lived to age 93, compared to less than 20% with a more negative outlook

• Connection supports behavior change: support, trust, and community make healthy habits more sustainable

As the American College of Lifestyle Medicine shares:

“We often focus on what people should change—but lasting change depends on who supports them along the way.”

🌱 Connection Takes Many Forms

Connection doesn’t have to be big, time-consuming, or even in person.

It can look like:

• A quick conversation at the mailbox

• A standing coffee date or weekly call

• Time with family, friends, or colleagues

• A place of worship or spiritual practice

• Volunteering or contributing to something meaningful

Even being fully immersed in an activity—where skill meets challenge—creates a sense of engagement and connection.(Bonus points if it also brings meaning.)

✨ This Week’s Invitation

Pick 1–2 of the following to focus on this week:

• Take an extra moment to connect with someone in your day, even briefly

• Fully engage in an activity that challenges and absorbs your attention

• Identify something meaningful (volunteering, mentoring, community involvement)

• Set up a recurring connection (coffee, walk, or call) with someone who brings you joy

• Be the person who brings positivity to others (Remember, it spreads)

• Choose 1–2 days to engage in a spiritual practice (meditation, prayer, reflection, services, etc.)

• Reflect on where you already feel strong connection and acknowledge it with gratitude

  
  

🌿 Final Thought

Connection isn’t an add-on to your health.

It’s part of the foundation.

And often—it starts with something small.

If you missed Week 1 (Introduction) or Week 2 (Pillar 1: Sleep), you can catch up on the blog here.

Looking to strengthen connection as part of your overall health or want support integrating lifestyle medicine into your care? I am here to help—let’s connect on a free consultation to discuss further!

Disclaimer:

The content on this blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide medical diagnosis, treatment, or replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or care. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider with any questions regarding a medical condition or treatment.