It’s good for democracy and your health
My job is rather solitary. I work from home, in front of my computer most of the day, and correspond with the Matters contributors, community members and salespeople mostly by email and phone. Because I don’t mind spending my work days alone, it could be easy for me to hole up in my house. But I notice how walking with a neighbor, bumping into an acquaintance, singing in my church choir or catching up with longtime friends energizes me.
Connections are life-giving. I am mindful to nurture relationships with family and friends and to be involved with pursuits that bring me into the company of others. There is plenty of research that supports how connectedness improves mental and physical health. It’s laid out in the U.S. Surgeon General’s 2023 report called “Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation: The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community.”
There’s also a recent documentary called “Join or Die” that further explores Robert Putnam’s work about the importance of social bonds. A social scientist and author of the best seller “Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community,” Putnam said back in 2001 that people had become disconnected from one another and social structures had disintegrated. The idea is that we need to be together by joining clubs, houses of worship and other gatherings, to foster meaningful civic engagement and preserve democracy.
Although we are not immune in our towns to loneliness and the loss of social connection, I think we have more opportunities than most places to build community. Many of our neighborhoods are walking distance to schools, parks and shops so we can see each other on the streets, at least when the weather cooperates. Our downtowns have businesses that people want to patronize. And our towns feature so many events that you could keep busy every night of the week.
Of course, it’s up to us to get out there. For me, sometimes it just takes walking to Maplewood Village to complete a few errands to feel energized. Recently, I bought a pile of board books at Words Bookstore for my stepdaughter’s newest baby boy. At the register, Jessie, who I know from our children being in school together, asked how I was and what my kids were up to.
On another recent walk into town, I ran into a neighbor ferrying her children home from school and learned that one of her daughters had just started playing viola. Near Roman Gourmet, I did a double take seeing a science teacher my son, Tim, had had in middle school 12 years ago and found out he was busy writing his PhD dissertation. On my way home, a neighbor and I waved to each other. I noticed her son was almost as tall as she is. It feels good to be known and to matter to one another.
I’ve also seen it play out in my own family. Knowing how much my daughter and I enjoy singing in our church choir, we have encouraged my husband, Rob, to join. He doesn’t read music and has never been a part of a singing group, but he has a good ear and could pick out his tenor part with practice. It wasn’t until a church member complimented him on his hymn singing and suggested he join the choir that he actually did. He has started to learn the ropes and recently sang in our annual gospel music service, spending weeks learning the songs. When it was over, Rob was walking on air. He experienced the benefits of belonging and also learned some music to inspire his days.
So what’s my point? Seek community. Text a friend to take a walk. Invite a neighbor to go with you to an art exhibit or play. Join a cause with other like-minded people. Play pub trivia with a group. Volunteer at one of our local nonprofits. You will not only be enriching yourself and others, but you might just boost your health too.
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