Why connections count
🥟 An unusual Tuesday
Last Tuesday, Rachael (Yeu co-founder and my daughter) planned our weekly #getyeuoutside challenge a little differently. If you follow us on Strava, you’re familiar with this weekly tradition. Usually, it’s a run or walk together for an outdoor founders meeting. But this time, we headed into Antwerp to meet my friend Rik, who’s been a member of the Yeu Zone community since the very beginning, for some tasty empanadas on a hot afternoon. (If you’re in the city, check out Tota on the Hoogstraat!)
I hadn’t seen Rik in a while—not for any particular reason other than being ‘busy’. What may have seemed like an unproductive way to spend a few hours over lunchtime actually energised me like nothing else. Chatting with Rik and Rachael about random bands originating from Bristol, amongst a whole lot of other totally not work-related things, put my mind in a clearer state. For the rest of the day, I felt more creative, balanced, and focused.
Since then, I’ve been reflecting on the importance of companionship, friendship, and social connections. As we grow older, it’s easy to let these relationships slip away amidst our ‘busy’ (I’m going to keep putting quotes around this, because what do we even mean by that?) lives. However, studies show that strong social ties can reduce the risk of mortality by up to 50% (Holt-Lunstad et al., 2010) and regular social interaction boosts mental acuity, emotional resilience, and even physical health, helping to lower blood pressure and reduce stress hormones (Cohen et al., 1997).
So it’s clear that nurturing these connections is vital—they uplift us, bring joy to our daily lives, and are fundamental to our well-being on a cellular level! And who doesn’t want that?
🧬 But there must be some science behind this!
During my reading this week I learned not having friends or family around can actually change how your body works. Crazy, but not surprising. This makes loneliness more than an emotion, but also something your cells experience. Being with other people isn’t just a fun way to spend time, it’s fundamental to keeping the 37.2 trillion cells inside your body healthy to live a more vibrant and joy-filled life.
Here are the 4 most important things to know about how feeling lonely can affect your body:
🔬 Your cells can age faster: When you're lonely a lot, it can make the caps on your cells (called telomeres) wear down faster. This makes your body age quicker and makes it easier for you to get sick.
🧫 Your genes might act differently: Feeling lonely can change how your genes work. Some good genes might not work so well, and some bad ones could even cause more problems. This can make it easier for you to get sick.
🔋 Your body's batteries might not work right: Inside your body are tiny powerhouses called mitochondria. When you're lonely, they might not make energy as well as they should. This can make you feel tired and not as strong.
❤️🩹 Your body can get too upset: Loneliness can make your body feel like it's always on alert. This can cause something called inflammation, which can hurt your body over time and make it easier for you to get diseases like diabetes or problems with your heart.
So, next time you’re overwhelmed by a ‘busy’ schedule—think about it from a deeper perspective. Those feelings of isolation that come from lack of social contact can quite literally get under your skin. #doitforyourcells
🔄 Making it a habit
The funny thing is that later the same week, Rik and I met up again to go on a weekend gravel bike ride adventure. As with all healthy lifestyle habits, making social plans takes a little effort and intention, but once you’re in the swing of things, it’s easier to maintain momentum. My tips for making social connections a part of your daily routine?
📅 Set a daily/weekly goal: Make it a habit to send a quick 'hello' or express gratitude to special people in your life. It helps me stay connected with friends and family in the UK and my son in Canada, even if we haven't caught up in a while.
🐶 Dogs: Rachael's two dogs aren't just pets—they're social companions that bring our whole family joy and keep us engaged with other people in the neighbourhood or on hikes.
🎨 Share your passions: While I enjoy solitary rides and runs, mixing things up and sharing hobbies with others is important too. It adds variety and strengthens connections with friends and family.
Finally, if I could share any learned wisdom with you then it’s these words by C.S. Lewis “Be weird. Be random. Be who you are. Because you never know who would love the person you hide.” I can’t stress how important it is that your friends, family, and social connections accept and love you for who you are.
If you’re in or around Antwerp, make sure to connect with us and we can meet up for a Yeu walk, run, ride, or lunch! Thanks for being here.
Seize the years,
Steve Jennings | Co-Founder + CEO, Yeu
This blog post was originally featured in our bi-weekly newsletter, Rise + Thrive, on July 6th 2024.
