Why Connection is Critical for Well-Being + 8 Ways to Cultivate it in School

We often think of human connection as a positive but ancillary part of our lives; it might easily fall by the wayside, lost in the chaos of our schedules and goals. But in reality, connection is much more important than we might realize. It is a determining factor of positive mental and physical health.

36% of US adults experience serious loneliness, while an alarming 61% of those aged 18-25 report being seriously lonely.

This crisis has only been exacerbated by the pandemic with 43% of young adults reporting an increase in loneliness, including that no one in the past few weeks had “taken more than just a few minutes” to ask how they are doing in a way that made them feel like the person “genuinely cared.”

The good news is that there are steps we can take to foster connection and belonging and mitigate loneliness. More and more researchers and medical practitioners are beginning to view connection as a form of prescriptive medicine, one that can be implemented on both an individual and community level.?

They cite evidence that human connectedness acts as a barometer for social and emotional well-being and that children and teens who feel connected at home and at school are more likely to succeed emotionally and academically.?

Connection as a Fundamental Human Need

Psychological theories, such as Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, document the importance of connection as a prerequisite for self-esteem and self-actualization and the fulfillment of one’s talent and potential. Feeling like an important part of a group - whether it be an after-school club, class, or religious affiliation - is essential to our general well-being. Just as important are our relationships with smaller groups and individuals, such as family members or trusted friends. This is especially true of children and adolescents, for whom connectedness can bolster resilience and increased levels of joy and satisfaction.

As humans, we are hardwired for connection.

The moment a baby is born and begins to cry, their mother’s brain produces oxytocin– the hormone that bonds us to one another. Oxytocin is also released when we hug or hold hands with one another and even when we pet a beloved animal.

Dr. Ned Hallowell, leading psychiatrist and connectedness expert and a Robin founding coach, defines connectedness as a “preverbal feeling of being a part of something larger than oneself that is beneficent.” Connection has a number of health benefits, from the prevention and mitigation of cancer and cardiovascular disease to depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. Dr. Hallowell points to cardiovascular scientist Dr. Alan Rozanski’s research that social isolation as a risk factor for heart disease is as significant as poor physical health behaviors and chronic stress. Further, increased scores in the Social Network Index - a medically recognized barometer for social contact - correlated with lower blood glucose levels, lower rates of hypertension and lower instances of diabetes.

“Most people don't know this, but social isolation is as dangerous a risk factor for early death as cigarette smoking. You don’t see it… but it’s absolutely there.”

Dr. Ned Hallowell

In their 2017 study “The Connection Prescription,” Drs. Martino, Pegg and Frates have proposed that the medical institution consider a “connection prescription” to patients suffering from poor mental health. This prescription would model itself after the commonly used exercise prescription, guided by the mnemonic device FITT: frequency, intensity, time and type of interaction.

Schools might institute FITT in their curriculum as a preventative measure to decrease the number of students who find themselves needing remedial connection. For instance, teachers could dedicate 30 minutes each day to activities that exclusively focus on building community and connectedness.

Time spent in school does not necessarily lead to a feeling of connectedness, especially for students who struggle socially. They might move from class to class in isolation, unsure of how to break through to their peers. For many students and educators, COVID-19 has only worsened this feeling of loneliness; social distancing has mitigated the spread of the virus, but it often has long-lasting behavioral, psychological and biological effects.?

It is especially imperative now that educators actively facilitate connection, whether they give students time that is specifically meant for connection and collaborative work or lead classes through activities that help students bond with one another.

Considering that the classroom is often the social epicenter of students’ lives, creating this time for them to connect will benefit not only their emotional well-being, but their academic success as well. Time spent building and nurturing connectedness is time invested in students holistically. According to Dr. Ned Hallowell, connectedness has been proven to improve performance across disciplines, from schoolwork to extracurricular activities such as sports and the arts.

8 Concrete Strategies for Helping Students Foster Connection and Belonging with Each Other

1. Give Students Agency. Students know more about their own needs than we might think. Give them a voice and let them know they’re being heard to establish a deeper sense of trust and safety and gain more widespread and quicker buy-in.
2. Slow Down to Speed Up. The collective trauma we have all experienced needs to be addressed with more than just words. With the increasing pace of middle and high school, especially as schools attempt to get students back up to speed, many are begging to slow down. Giving students the space and time to reflect and process challenging transitory periods is essential for developing a greater sense of self-awareness, which is crucial for connection.
3. Encourage Play + Creativity. According to Dr. Ned Hallowell, school cultures that prioritize creativity and fun drastically increase positive mental health outcomes and academic performance. Building in unstructured time in the day for students to engage with each other in fun and playful ways really helps them build camaraderie and connection.
4. Icebreaker Activities. Starting the week or day off with fun and engaging ice-breaker activities or games are a great way to foster connection. The emphasis should be on encouraging students to talk with each other about topics that they can connect over on a slightly deeper level. Rather than the pressure of “two truths and a lie”, these might include would you rather questions or other conversation starters.
5. Collaborative Projects. Collaborative work, both in and out of the classroom, engages some students in their academic environment, teaching them the importance of communication, perspective-taking and cooperation, all crucial skills in relationship-building.
6. Organized Small Groups. Establishing scheduled smaller groups, such as advisory lunches or afternoon meetings, allows students to come together and interact with new people in an organized setting.?
7. Affinity Groups. Give students the opportunity and encouragement to start affinity groups or clubs for them to meet and connect with peers of similar backgrounds, life experiences or interests. Establishing a school-based community of individuals who can relate to each other, validate one another’s experiences and form long-lasting friendships gives students who otherwise might not feel like they “fit in” a sense of belonging.
8. Community-Building Events. On a broader level, school-wide community-building events enable students to uplift and bond with one another, often in the form of friendly competition. Our 30 Day Health Habits Challenge, for example, strengthens community connection while rewarding daily practice of core SEL skills such as mindfulness, kindness and resilience. Students are encouraged to share personal wins, give each other shout outs and connect over each others’ growth.

Read the rest of the Connection White Paper and learn about the importance of social identity for one’s well-being, how social media use impacts connection and how connection is measured.

At Robin, we're here to help schools build a connected, compassionate culture. When everyone feels that they are connected, that they belong and that they are valued, the entire school community thrives.

Sources

• Martino, Jessica et al. “The Connection Prescription: Using the Power of Social Interactions and the Deep Desire for Connectedness to Empower Health and Wellness.” American journal of lifestyle medicine vol. 11.6 466-475. 7 October 2015.
• Morina, Nexhmedin et al. “Potential impact of physical distancing on physical and mental health: a rapid narrative umbrella review of meta-analyses on the link between social connection and health.” BMJ open vol. 11.3 e042335. 18 March 2021.
• Rozanski, Alan. “Psychosocial Risk Factors and Cardiovascular Disease: Epidemiology, Screening, and Treatment Considerations.” Cardiovascular Innovations and Applications, vol. 1, no. 4. 2016.
• Weissbourd, Richard et al. “Loneliness in America: How the Pandemic Has Deepened an Epidemic of Loneliness and What We Can Do About It.” The Making Care Common Project and The Harvard Graduate School of Education. February 2021.