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Important Notice
Social and physical connection are the foundation for lifestyle medicine. As humans, we are hardwired to connect and this connection affects our health and well being. According to NIH, significant research points to “evidence that social support and feeling connected can help people maintain a healthy body mass index, control blood sugars, improve cancer survival, decrease cardiovascular mortality, decrease depressive symptoms, mitigate posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms, and improve overall mental health.” As our increase of technology, specifically social media and Artificial Intelligence increase, this important connection is something we are passionate about and very grateful for in our work at Wake Foot Sanctuary.
“There are decades of research that support the importance of connection. Moreover, humans have lived in groups for thousands of years. In a meta-analysis by Holt-Lunstad and colleagues at Brigham Young University, they examined 148 articles published on the effects of human interactions on health outcomes, and they reported that social connections with friends, family, neighbors, or colleagues improves the odds of survival by 50%. High social support and social integration are associated with the lowest relative odds of mortality compared to many other well accepted risk factors for cardiovascular disease.” (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/)
In regards to the physical connection, according to the National Integrated Health Associates website, “Massage educates or re-educates the body-mind connection via the skin. The skin, our largest organ, acts as an outer brain, filtering messages to our nervous system via hundreds of receptor sites. As the nervous system sends out the signals, the tension in the muscles begins to dissipate and the feelings of relaxation begin. Massage also increases the release of endorphins (the “feel good” chemicals) in the brain, which further helps to reduce pain and ease muscle tension while calming the nervous system. It can be helpful in reducing stress and anxiety as it promotes relaxation and a feeling of well-being.”
These social and physical connections are important to the tenants of service that we love to see unfold each day at Wake. As we enter the holiday season, it is even more a time to appreciate and utilize these physical connections and social bonds, putting out positive energy in our community that contributes not only to health and wellness for our guests, but for ourselves. We have gratitude for this connection.
