5 Ways to Connect with Your Community and Reduce Stress

You may be familiar with mindfulness tools for stress management like meditation or spending time in nature, but did you know that your social interactions can help, too? Investing in your community—your friends, family, coworkers, and neighbors—is actually an effective way to target stress in your life.

Social connectedness is considered one of the determinants of health by the CDC, which are five areas of life that greatly influence health outcomes.¹ This means that social connection is just as important to your well-being (how often you experience positive emotions, life satisfaction, and feeling purpose in life) as your genetics, environment, behavior, and medical care.^1,2

It’s true: Studies have shown that low social support can be more harmful than smoking, obesity, or high blood pressure.³ In fact, social connectedness is so important that it’s considered a basic human need—right along with food, shelter, and safety.^2,4

While we don’t yet fully understand how social ties have such a profound impact on our health, one possible explanation is that how our friends act is contagious: If your friends have healthy habits, you are more likely to develop similar habits.⁵ Additionally, research indicates that positive social interactions lower your stress response, which may promote better health outcomes over time.³

Stress has a huge influence on your mental, emotional, and physical health, and even affects your hair growth efforts. In fact, stress is a key root cause of hair thinning, because cortisol (a stress hormone) can cause hair follicles to prematurely shift out of the hair growth phase, leading to hair shedding.

If you’re looking to connect with your community, meet some new friends, or expand your network, here are five places you can start.

1. Shop local. Supporting local businesses is a great way to benefit your community and build relationships. Try out your local coffee shop or browse your neighborhood’s used bookstore.

2. Look for community events. Meet new people who have similar interests by trying a book club hosted at your library or seeing live music at the park.

3. Donate your time. Volunteering not only introduces you to new people, but also supports a cause you care about. Not sure where to start? Try your local food bank or animal shelter.

4. Get moving. Exercise has so many benefits, including team-building. Add a new exercise class to your routine or join a walking club—great ways to get some healthy movement in and meet new people.

5. Find an online community. Joining an online group of likeminded people, like our Shed the Silence community, helps you connect with others going through similar circumstances.