Why Relationships Are the Best Investment for Living Well

Focus on Connections, Not Metrics

As a wellness investor, I’m often asked what new diets, workouts, or self-quantification techniques I recommend for living your best life. While those things have value, my best advice actually has nothing to do with food or fitness.

I’ve found that the key to wellbeing lies not in tracking steps or calories, but in nurturing human connections. Relationships are the nutrient our souls crave most.

The Science Behind Social Health

Study after study shows social health is vital for overall health and longevity. People with strong social ties live longer, have lower rates of anxiety and depression, and even recover faster from illness and injury.

Social connection impacts us on a biological level by influencing hormone production and immune function. Our bodies respond to relationships much like they respond to proper diet and adequate sleep.

Relationships Bring Us Purpose

Meaningful human connections provide more than just biochemical benefits – they shape our sense of purpose. Knowing there are people who depend on us, support us, or draw inspiration from us gives unique motivation to live each day with intention.

Having a sense of purpose lowers mortality rates and feelings of despair while increasing overall happiness and life satisfaction according to research.

How to Nurture Social Health

If relationships are vital nutrients for wellbeing, we must make nurturing social health as much a priority as proper nutrition and movement. Here are a few simple ways to cultivate meaningful human connections in your daily life:

Have lunch with a friend or colleague instead of eating alone
Join a club, volunteer organization, sports team, or faith community to expand your social circle
Reach out to long lost friends and family to rekindle dormant relationships
Strike up conversations with people you encounter throughout your day – the barista, mail carrier, Uber driver etc.
Schedule regular video calls or phone dates to stay connected if you live far apart from loved ones

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are relationships so important for wellbeing?

Relationships directly impact our biochemical health through mechanisms like hormone regulation and immune system function. Meaningful connections also provide a sense of purpose and belonging essential for happiness.

What happens to your health when you lack social connections?

People lacking in social health are more prone to inflammation, stress, anxiety, depression, and cognitive decline. They also have higher mortality rates from conditions as diverse as heart disease, stroke, and accidents.

How much time should you commit to nurturing relationships?

Experts suggest dedicating at least 60-90 minutes per day focused on meaningful social interactions for optimum health benefits. Even small daily efforts to connect with others can make a dramatic difference long-term.

What are easy ways to improve your social wellbeing?

Simple habits like engaging strangers you encounter in daily life, scheduling regular calls with long-distance friends, joining a club or volunteer group in your community, and replacing solo activities with social ones can all nurture your social health.

Why are family relationships important?

Our closest family bonds often shape our identity and worldview from early life onward. Maintaining supportive relationships with family provides a sense of belonging, security, purpose, and continuity over a lifetime.