• A stress shield is a simple hug.

Social Connections and Physical Health

Hugs, caring conversations, and even a simple smile can change someone's mood on a rainy day. 

Studies show that our connections to others may have a great effect on our overall health. A study published in the News in Health revealed that the number of social interactions can help decrease stress and cardiac risks.

Dr. Sheldon Cohen, a psychologist at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh expressed that people who reported being hugged more often were less likely to get a viral exposure illness, that's why a hug is considered a shield against stress. 

Social Life and Brain Health

A recent article published in Harvard Medical School suggests that socializing can boost memory and stimulate attention; in addition, it could help to strengthen neural networks.

Scientists have shown that people with strong social relationships are less prone than people who spend much of their time alone to develop cognitive decay.

Cognitive decay is more likely to be observed in people who have fewer social ties than those who are sociable butterflies. The Harvard website said that one big study with 12,000 participants found that loneliness increases the risk of dementia by up to 40%.

So What Can You Do to Boost Your Brain Health?

1. Rejoin with old friends.  

Reconnecting with wonderful pals you've lost touch with over the years is one of the simplest ways to create rewarding partnerships. And if perhaps you lost track of your friends, then you have the social media platforms that could do a great deal on that matter. 

2. Stay away from poisonous relationships

According to a study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association in 2021, women who reported high levels of social strain were more likely to suffer significant heart problems over the course of 15 years than those who did not. Therefore, be careful who you choose to hang out with. 

3. Try to choose diverse methods to socialize

If you are trying to maintain Social Distancing during the Covid-19 pandemic, don't worry - you can always use new ways to connect with others. 

Send an email or make a video call to a friend using your smartphone. It may not be the same as a face-to-face chat, but it is a useful alternative when in-person visits are not possible.