Community Matters
Isn't it odd that while we live in a world that's so much more connected, real connection seems to be regressing? Think about it: your partner, friends, and family are merely a WhatsApp, iMessage, FaceTime, or Skype call away, yet it's easy to feel isolated and disconnected. We need to look at the world around us to understand why. Walking in a mall or sitting at a restaurant, so many people's faces are lit up by the far too familiar light of their screens rather than the conversation around them. No matter how advanced our technology is, we are social creatures wired for authentic connection and belonging. This innate need for community is vital for us women.
Our LDH Sisterhood is a powerful example of how the community can nurture mental health and empowerment. By creating a safe and supportive space for women to connect, share experiences, and learn from one another, the Sisterhood offers a valuable resource for navigating life's challenges.
Research has consistently shown the positive impact of social connections on mental health. Studies have found that individuals with strong social relationships are less likely to experience depression, anxiety, and loneliness. "The relationship between social support and well-being is well established in social psychology, with evidence suggesting that these benefits are especially prominent among women. When faced with an environmental stressor, women are likelier to adopt a tend-and-befriend strategy rather than fight-or-flight. Furthermore, female friendships tend to be higher in self-disclosure and more frequently relied on for social support, which is associated with physical and psychological benefits. Women are also more effective at providing social support, further augmenting those benefits" - Royal Society Publishing.
This is what makes LDH so valuable. It's more than the events or articles. It's the genuine sense of belonging we hope women feel when they engage with us. This is why we encourage building strong, meaningful relationships, sharing experiences, and learning from one another. This sense of belonging can be particularly beneficial for women who may feel isolated or overwhelmed.
Many times, we haven't been able to articulate the need to be in community. Now we know. Science proves we need community and connection for more than social gatherings; they also benefit our mental health. So keep the spirit of "tend-and-befriend" alive, girls. Here's to us, our health, and our growth through life in community with one another.
References:
Holt-Lunstad, J., Smith, T. B., & Layton, J. B. (2010). Social relationships and mortality risk: A meta-analytic review. PLoS medicine, 7(7), e1000316.
Royal Society Publishing
Sbarra, D. A., & Bornstein, R. F. (2004). The effects of social support on psychological well-being. Current directions in psychological science, 13(2), 56-60.
Taylor, S. E., & Turner, J. E. (2009). The biological stress response. Handbook of health psychology, 2, 103-129.