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Socialization: The Foundation for Health & Happiness

Debbie Zimmerman • Dec 13, 2022

Socialization: The Foundation for Health & Happiness

Healthy Dinner Together

In the 1968 film, Funny Girl, Barbara Streisand made popular the song, “People.” The opening lyrics are timeless and as appropriate now as when originally recorded. “People, people who need people, are the luckiest people in the world.” As we take a deeper dive into the importance of lifestyle medicine, we learn that strong socialization is the foundation for happiness, health and longevity.

 

Lifestyle Medicine is the use of evidence-based lifestyle therapeutic intervention—including a whole-food, plant-predominant eating pattern, regular physical activity, restorative sleep, stress management, avoidance of risky substances, and positive social connection—as a primary modality, to prevent, treat, and often reverse chronic disease.


According to the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM), having a strong social connection is the single most important predictor of human happiness and a long life. As one of the ACLM’s six foundational pillars, it is believed that, “People need people who will care about them as individuals…count on them when they are faced with challenges and provide emotional support as needed.” Can you recall prior to the Covid-19 shutdown when you gathered with friends and families? Remember the laughter, stories, jokes and comradery resulting in “belly laughs till you cried alligator tears?” If you are like me, you truly miss those fun-filled get together.

 

On the other hand, how often have you called a friend just to vent? When your frustrations were so intense that you just needed to scream? Your network of trusted friends helped you work through these trying situations. The listening ear of a good friend is sometimes all that is necessary. According to the Mayo Clinic, “A strong social support network can be critical to help you through the stress of tough times, whether you’ve had a bad day at work or a year filled with loss or chronic illness.”

 

Dan Buettner, the National Geographic’s journalist who discovered the “Blue Zones,” has written books about how lifestyle and social support have added at least seven years to life expectancy in these geographic regions. Blue Zone populations produce the largest number of centenarians–individuals living well past 100 years of age. Not only do these populations live longer, they also enjoy a higher quality-of-life. They continue to be productive, have a sense of purpose, enjoy daily activity, and are socially connected. As a result, they are able to live independently in their own homes, are not dependent on pills or supplements, and have the world’s lowest rates of dementia throughout their twilight years.

 

Lack of social support can lead to isolation, loneliness, and depression, all of which are associated with an increased risk for coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke according to a 2016 meta-analysis published in the journal, Heart. Specifically, “…poor social relationships were associated with a 29% increase in risk of CHD and a 32% increase in risk of stroke.” Other studies have shown that social relationships affect mental health, health behavior, physical health and mortality. Strong social support systems can help to maintain a healthy body mass index, control blood sugars, improve cancer survival, decrease depressive symptoms, and mitigate posttraumatic stress disorders.

 

How do we develop and maintain social connectedness and engagement? How can we develop a sense of purpose and prevent loneliness?


Forming social connections and relationships are the key according to ACLM. Some recommendations include:

  • Volunteer: Helping others to improve their health and happiness affords you the opportunity to meet others and increase your self-confidence
  • Connect with a community resource center to find local options
  • Find online or community groups who share your interests. https://www.meetup.com/ or Facebook groups are great places to start
  • Join a religious or spiritual group
  • Help at a local animal shelter or adopt a pet to connect with other animal lovers
  • Go to local sporting events, music performances, lectures or art displays
  • Help organize community events by joining a steering committee or board
  • Attend community celebrations like parades or walks
  • Take a course at your local library or community college
  • Ask your employer for ways to increase social connections at work


Look for social opportunities to improve other areas of your health such as participating in activity groups (running or biking clubs or community gardening), joining a gym for group fitness and “boot camps,” or enrolling in healthy cooking classes (see upcoming classes below or visit https://phyto-fit.life/events).

 

There are many ways to develop and strengthen our social relationships that will fundamentally and positively impact our health, happiness and longevity. Connecting in person has become easier with less-restrictive Covid regulations, online opportunities such as Zoom, and even social media magnets such as Facebook or Instagram. I would love to stay connected and be a part of your social support system; please follow me on https://www.facebook.com/phytofitllc or https://www.instagram.com/phytofitllc/.

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Smokey Tomato "Cheez" Ball

By Debbie Zimmerman • 28 Nov, 2023
This Smokey Tomato “Cheez” Ball is quite versatile when added to a holiday board. It can be coated in parsley or chives for the green festive look or a mixture of nuts. Add an assortment of whole-grain crackers of toast points and you have a delicious appetizer. I have used these leftovers on a baked potato with luscious, yummy results. Bring this to your next pot-luck and see how fast it disappears. (By the way, you don’t have to tell them that it isn’t cheese!)
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Black Bean “Meatballs”

By Debbie Zimmerman • 28 Nov, 2023
The holidays are upon us and so are the social obligations. If you are worried about the holiday buffet table, why not offer to bring an appetizer? These Black Bean “Meatballs” make a perfect addition without the guilt! Add your favorite dipping sauce, i.e., spicey mustard, barbeque sauce or ketchup. These also freeze well, so make a double batch and freeze half. These will compliment those Sunday football games…just defrost and reheat.
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The Lentils, Oats & Veggies (LOV) Loaf

By Debbie Zimmerman • 16 Nov, 2023
Growing up, meatloaf was a weekly staple for our family of 9. Surrounded by mashed potatoes, fresh greens, biscuits and gravy. If we were lucky to have leftovers, a meatloaf sandwich was always appreciated the next day. Well, lots has changed since that time, but the ease and simplicity of such a loaf is always attractive. The L.O.V. Loaf brings back many memories, but none of the saturated fat or cholesterol. Certainly, there is no harm to the animals and I LOV the leftover sandwiches!
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By Debbie ZImmerman • 16 Nov, 2023
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Pumpkin Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

By Jada McWilliams • 25 Oct, 2023
I have learned a great deal through my plant-based journey. First, I try hard not to rely on processed foods and when I do, I make sure the added ingredients are limited. This way I know I’m not getting the chemicals and dyes that are added to many processed and ultra-processed foods. In this recipe as well as the one before, I use a can of pumpkin puree; its only ingredient is “pumpkin” or “organic pumpkin.” I have a sweet tooth and sometimes I have to give into the craving. These Pumpkin Oatmeal Raisin Cookies are nice way to satisfy the desire for something sweet without the guilt. Of course, they are packed with beta carotene, which we need on a daily basis to fight off those free radicals, but it also has great fiber and natural sweetness. (See how easy it is to justify a cookie!) Enjoy!
Pumpkin Pie Smoothie Recipe

Pumpkin Pie Breakfast Smoothie

By Debbie Zimmerman • 25 Oct, 2023
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Eggplant Meatballs Recipe

Eggplant Meatballs

By Debbie Zimmerman • 26 Sep, 2023
My cousin recently shared a recipe found in Dr. Joel Fuhrman’s book, Eat to Live. After preparing the recipe as directed, I made a few changes, added a few ingredients and removed a few as well. In the end, these Eggplant Meatballs are delicious. I doubled the batch and froze half for another day. My husband enjoys them plain and I dip in tomato sauce. I would recommend not soaking them in the sauce, just having it on the side. Topped with nutty parm, you have an excellent meal!
Sweet & Sour Veggies with Tempeh Recipe

Sweet & Sour Veggies with Tempeh

By Debbie ZImmerman • 19 Sep, 2023
A recent visit to a Thai restaurant inspired this recipe with tender yet crispy vegetables. In place or a rich peanut sauce, I lightened up this recipe using pineapple juice combined with an all-natural almond butter. Of course, this could also be swopped-out with peanut butter. I served this with purple barley and enjoyed an excellent meal!
Quinoa Salad Recipe

Quinoa Salad

By Debbie Zimmerman • 02 Aug, 2023
Summer in Florida can be quite hot and the thought of cooking something in the oven seems almost unbearable. I enjoy simple summer salads that can be prepare over the weekend and enjoyed several days throughout the week either for lunch or dinner. This Quinoa Salad is quick and packed with flavor. Wanting another salad idea, toss in some baby spinach before tossing and add a lime vinaigrette. Or, switch out the quinoa for cauliflower rice. Cool, simple and easy…the right ingredients for summer!
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