Week 25: What if we viewed connecting with others like exercise?

At the time I originally wrote this series in 2018, I attended the Buckeye Summit, which was convened to change how we can create and support healthy communities by tackling issues pervasive in America today (if only we had known what was headed our way two years later.) The audience - a mix of Ohio State alumni, faculty, staff, and thought leaders in the space of health care - left the Summit with a plan for building healthier communities wherever we call home.

I thought the day would be full of discussions about taking 10,000 steps a day and eating more fruits and vegetables.?

Then one panelist made the following statement that nearly froze me to my seat. He said that he thinks the reason for many of our health challenges is that we are not making space for relationships and connections.?

Whoa.?

Bomb drop.?

Inside I was shouting YES - THIS IS WHAT I’VE BEEN SAYING!!?

So, here is my question for you: When someone asks you if you are healthy, how do you define that internally before answering??

Do you think about the amount of time you spend exercising - or as my daughter would ask “if you are getting your active minutes?”?

Do you think about your diet and the amount of fruits, vegetables and whole foods you eat versus the amount of fast food and processed ingredients??

Or do you think about the other dimensions of health?? There are nine as described at the event:

Emotional

Career

Social

Spiritual

Physical

Financial

Intellectual

Creative

Environmental?

Only one of these dimensions addresses whether you are getting in your cardio and eating a balanced diet. The others are a whole lot more about making meaningful connections with other human beings.?

What my table partners and I discussed was the pervasive issues facing our campus - and country - around mental health. From students feeling overwhelmed by the expectations they place upon themselves to professionals showing up to jobs that they aren’t passionate about, we are not healthy.??

I feel fortunate that at every step of my career and life I have had people to turn to for help and support. Friends. Bosses. Co-workers. Roommates. Family members.?

The reality that hit me after hearing statistics and stories about isolation and loneliness is that many people - young and old alike - don’t have a support system. They don’t have a network. And no matter if they are in the best physical shape in their life, the absence of meaningful connections in their life means that the other eight dimensions of their health suffers.?

Here is my challenge for the week. There are two paths to take:?

1. For those who regularly exercise - how can you add an element to your physical activity that addresses one or more of the other dimensions of health??
2. For those who don’t have a regular exercise routine - how can add an element of physical exercise to a dimension of health you would rank yourself very strong in?

For example, how could you form relationships with other people who go to your gym or who you see when you are out on your regular walk / bike / run routes??

Or, if you have great relationships within your work setting, how can you insert an element of physical activity??

When it comes to exercise, the hardest part is usually lacing up your shoes and getting out the door, but once you are on the pavement or following the moves to a workout routine, you are glad you showed up. I challenge you to think about making meaningful connections in the same way. It might not seem convenient or easy - and we certainly know we won’t get immediate results - but prolonged dedication to building relationships will make us stronger and healthier.?

We are not one-dimensional. The importance of meaningful connecting became even more apparent to me after sitting with a group of individuals committed to making a difference for those we love and for those in our community.?

I authored the original 52 Weeks of Meaningful Connections in 2018. Despite the variety of ways we are able to connect, we are lonelier now than ever. This motivated me to re-visit the entire series. In some cases, the 2018 version will stand. In others, it will be updated to reflect the reality of our new world. Don’t miss what’s coming next week and subscribe now.