Hooray for Love - February Newsletter

Ella Fitzgerald - Hooray for Love

I have been inspired by the most remarkable studies, conducted by Dr. Lisa Berkman in the 1960s. She explored the influence of love and social connectedness. Dr. Berkman led an intensive study of seven thousand men and women living in Alameda County California. The study determined that people who were disconnected from others were roughly 3 times more likely to die during the nine year study than people with strong social ties. The kinds of social ties didn’t appear to matter. What mattered was being involved in some social network, whether it was family, friends, church, volunteer groups or marriage.

Her findings were supported by another analysis of the medical risks of social isolation, published in the journal Science in 1988. This study concluded that lack of emotional support was a greater risk factor for disease and death than smoking.

This confirms that our care and compassion for others makes a huge difference and often much more than we realize. Relationships that help you feel acknowledged, safe, and loved are great boon to your health, and we should make them a priority.

Celebrate the 14th with your loved one, and forge deeper connections with your colleagues, neighbours and acquaintances.

Here's to love!

All my very best,