Is your morning routine actually making you lonely?

In your quest for optimal health, you’ve embraced countless individual wellness practices – from elaborate skincare routines to solo meditation apps. But what if this self-focused approach is paradoxically harming your well-being? Recent research reveals a startling truth: loneliness can be as dangerous to your health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day! Your wellness rituals may be leading you to neglect the most crucial aspect of health – human connection. Discover how the individualization of wellness is contributing to a loneliness epidemic, and learn what might be the most powerful medicine you’ve been overlooking.

In recent years, the wellness industry has seen explosive growth, offering a plethora of products and practices aimed at improving our physical and mental well-being. From elaborate skincare routines to meditation apps, we’ve been encouraged to focus intensely on ourselves in the pursuit of health. However, a growing body of research suggests that this individualized approach to wellness may be contributing to a silent epidemic: loneliness. And ironically, this loneliness could be undermining the very health we’re trying to improve.

The Loneliness Crisis

Loneliness has become a significant public health concern, with studies showing alarming rates across all age groups. According to recent research, loneliness can have severe impacts on our health, comparable to smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day. It’s not just a matter of feeling sad or isolated; loneliness has been linked to increased risks of heart disease, stroke, depression, anxiety, and even premature death.

The U.S. Surgeon General has classified the prevalence of loneliness as an epidemic. By 2018, half of the country reported feeling lonely at least sometimes, according to a Cigna survey, a number that has only grown since then. This trend is particularly concerning among younger generations, who report levels of loneliness that were typically associated with older adults in past decades.

The Individualization of Wellness

The wellness industry, of which I’m a part, while well-intentioned, has largely promoted an individualistic approach to health. We’re encouraged to focus on personal routines, solo activities, and self-reflection. While these practices can be beneficial, they often neglect a crucial aspect of human well-being: social connection.

Many popular wellness trends inadvertently promote isolation:

1. Solo workout routines and fitness apps

2. Individual meditation and mindfulness practices

3. Personal skincare and self-care rituals

4. Emphasis on “me time” and unplugging from social interactions

5. Direct-to-consumer health and wellness products

6. Personalized nutrition plans and meal delivery services

While these activities can be valuable, when they become our primary focus, they can lead us further into isolation. The narrative that the only one we can depend on, and thus should prioritize, is ourselves perpetuates the idea of the personal above the collective — and reinforces the notion of self-sufficiency.

The Health Consequences of Loneliness

Research has consistently shown that social connection is vital for our health:

1. Cardiovascular Health: Studies have found that poor social relationships are associated with a 29% increase in the risk of heart disease and a 32% increase in the risk of stroke. Heart failure patients who reported high levels of loneliness had a 68% increased risk of hospitalization, a 57% higher risk of emergency department visits, and a 26% increased risk of outpatient visits, compared with patients reporting low levels of loneliness.

2. Mental Health: The odds of developing depression more than double among people who report feeling lonely often, compared to those who rarely or never feel lonely. This effect is seen across age groups, from children and adolescents to older adults.

3. Cognitive Function: Chronic loneliness and social isolation can increase the risk of developing dementia by approximately 50% in older adults. A study that followed older adults over 12 years found that cognitive abilities declined 20% faster among those who reported loneliness.

4. Immune Function: People with stronger social connections have been shown to have more robust immune responses, even to new viruses. In one study where participants were exposed to a common cold virus, individuals with social ties to six or more diverse social roles had a four-fold lower risk of developing a cold when compared to people who had ties to fewer diverse social roles.

5. Diabetes Management: Social disconnection has been linked to an increased risk for the development of type 2 diabetes. Conversely, social connection has been associated with better self-rated health and disease management among individuals with diabetes.

6. Overall Mortality: Data synthesis from 148 studies suggests that social connection increases the odds of survival by 50%. This effect is comparable to, and in some cases greater than, many other risk factors including smoking, alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, and obesity.

The Power of Community

Given these findings, it’s clear that true wellness must include social connection. Community involvement and strong social ties have been shown to:

1. Improve management of chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension

2. Enhance mental health and reduce the risk of depression and anxiety

3. Boost cognitive function and potentially reduce the risk of dementia

4. Strengthen immune responses to vaccines and infections

5. Increase overall longevity

6. Provide emotional support and practical assistance during times of stress or illness

Research has shown that wider social networks and more frequent social engagements with friends and family are associated with better cognitive function and may protect against the risk of dementia. Furthermore, social support from family and friends has been significantly associated with better self-care in diabetic patients, particularly in blood sugar monitoring.

Redefining Wellness: A Holistic Approach

To truly improve our health and well-being, we need to shift our focus from purely individual practices to a more balanced approach that includes community engagement and social connection. This doesn’t mean abandoning personal wellness routines entirely, but rather complementing them with activities that foster meaningful relationships and community involvement.

Some ways to incorporate social connection into your wellness routine include:

1. Joining group fitness classes or sports teams

2. Participating in community volunteering or activism

3. Engaging in group meditation or mindfulness practices

4. Sharing meals and cooking with friends and family

5. Joining clubs or groups related to your interests

6. Attending local events and cultural activities

7. Participating in support groups for specific health conditions

8. Engaging in team-based workplace wellness programs

It’s important to note that social connection isn’t just about quantity, but quality. Deep, meaningful relationships and a sense of belonging are key to reaping the health benefits of social connection.

The Role of Technology & Systemic Issues

While technology has often been blamed for increasing social isolation, it can also be a tool for fostering connection when used mindfully. Video calls, social media, and online communities can help maintain relationships and create new ones, especially for those with mobility issues or in remote areas. However, it’s crucial to balance online interactions with in-person connections whenever possible.

And while individual efforts to increase social connection are important, it’s crucial also to address the systemic issues that contribute to social isolation. This includes urban planning that promotes community interaction, policies that support work-life balance, and efforts to combat social inequality and discrimination, which can lead to isolation for marginalized groups.

What does this mean for you?

As we move forward, the wellness industry needs to evolve to incorporate the crucial element of social connection. This could include:

1. Group-based wellness programs and retreats

2. Community health initiatives

3. Social prescribing by healthcare providers

4. Wellness apps and platforms that encourage real-world social interaction

5. Corporate wellness programs that focus on team building and social connection

Take Action: Join The Call

If you’re looking to prioritize social connection and community while going through (peri)menopause, join The Call. This membership experience offers an engaged community of like-minded women creating the life they deserve. As a member, you’ll have access to:

• Curated webinars on a variety of health and wellness topics

• Evidence-based information on herbs and plant medicine

• Guided meditations and activation exercises

• Group coaching & mentorship

• Breathwork sessions

• Ask Me Anything sessions with experts

• A supportive community to share your journey

By joining The Call, you’re not investing in isolated, and isolating, wellness practices—you’re becoming part of a community dedicated to truly whole-person healing. Together, we can redefine what it means to be healthy in body, mind, and soul.

JOIN US!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Editor’s note: The information in this article, as well as all content produced and shared by Ivy Chan Wellness, including programs, memberships, and downloadables, are provided for informational and educational purposes only. They are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.