Did you know that social connections are essential for maintaining good physical and mental health? Why are therapists always yammering on about connection; this is why! It's the big deal, what matters, what leads to health, contentedness, and longevity. Recent studies show that people who have stronger social ties are less likely to experience depression and anxiety, have better immune system functioning, and live longer (Holt-Lunstad et al., 2015; Liu et al., 2016). This applies to all relationships, whether it's romantic, friendships, or community connections. In couples therapy, promoting emotional and relational connection between partners can be a powerful tool to enhance overall health and well-being. Research shows that couples who feel supported and understood by each other are better at managing stress, coping with health challenges, and experiencing greater happiness and life satisfaction (Revenson & Kayser, 2010).
Another fascinating study out of Harvard University conducted in the 1930s to examine the factors that contribute to a fulfilling and healthy life? One of the study's participants was John F. Kennedy, who later became the 35th president of the United States. The study expanded to include Kennedy's entire class at Harvard and a group of men from inner-city Boston. The study's findings suggest that the quality of our relationships is a strong predictor of our physical and mental health. Close, intimate relationships with spouses, family members, and friends were associated with better health outcomes, whereas more superficial connections with acquaintances were not. There's a great TED Talk about this work, listed in the references.
Therapists can help couples strengthen their emotional bonds through techniques such as active listening, empathy, and open communication. By doing so, couples can build a foundation of trust and emotional intimacy that can support their health and well-being for years to come. It's not just humans that can contribute to this bond, but furry companions as well! Research shows that spending time with dogs can reduce stress and anxiety, increase feelings of happiness and well-being, and even lower blood pressure.
In fact, bringing dogs into the workplace helped reduce stress levels among employees. Participants who interacted with dogs during the workday reported feeling less stressed and more satisfied with their job. For couples, having a dog can provide additional benefits to their relationship. Taking care of a pet together can be a bonding experience, and sharing the responsibility of caring for a furry friend can help couples feel more connected and supported. In couples therapy, therapists may recommend that couples consider adopting a dog to help strengthen their emotional bond and improve their overall health and well-being. That's just one of many ways to build connection. So think about how connected or disconnected you are in your life. It doesn't have to be a romantic relationship. It's really important.
References:
TED Talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/robert_waldinger_what_makes_a_good_life_lessons_from_the_longest_study_on_happiness/comments
Barker, S. B., & Wolen, A. R. (2008). The benefits of human-companion animal interaction: A review. Journal of Veterinary Medical Education, 35(4), 487-495.
Brooks, H. L., Rushton, K., Walker, S., Lovell, K., & Rogers, A. (2018). Ontological security and connectivity provided by pets: A study in the self-management of the everyday lives of people diagnosed with a long-term mental health condition. Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, 25(7), 402-411.
Holt-Lunstad, J., Smith, T. B., & Layton, J. B. (2010). Social relationships and mortality risk: A meta-analytic review. PLoS Medicine, 7(7), e1000316. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000316
Liu, B., Floud, S., Pirie, K., Green, J., Peto, R., & Beral, V. (2016). Does happiness itself directly affect mortality? The prospective UK Million Women Study. The Lancet, 387(10021), 874-881. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(15)01087-9
Regehr, C., & Schultz, E. (2014). Benefits of dogs in workplace: A systematic review. International Journal of Workplace Health Management, 7(4), 233-245.
Revenson, T. A., & Kayser, K. (2010). Couples coping with stress: Emerging perspectives on dyadic coping. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
Vaillant, G. E. (2012). Triumphs of Experience: The Men of the Harvard Grant Study. Belknap Press.
Wells, D. L. (2007). The effects of animals on human health and well-being. Journal of Social Issues, 65(3), 523-543
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