Belonging Is Not a Luxury, It’s a Human Need

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The value of connections and belonging are immense and fulfills a fundamental human need that boosts mental, emotional, and physical health by reducing stress, anxiety, and depression, while increasing self-esteem, purpose, and life satisfaction. Human bonds provide crucial support during challenges and are essential for humans. Strong social ties have been linked to longer, healthier lives, and better recovery from burnout. 

I believe that in-person connections are more beneficial for people than are social media connections. Research strongly supports this premise. While digital communication may offer convenience, it lacks the depth, emotional resonance, and biological, stress-reducing benefits of face-to-face interactions. See the research: Study Reveals Gen Z’s Preference for Face-to-Face Connections

Mental & Emotional Benefits

• Reduces Stress & Anxiety: Feeling seen, heard, and valued lowers feelings of isolation, and buffers against burnout.

• Boosts Self-Esteem & Purpose: Belonging fosters a stronger sense of identity, purpose, and positive self-worth.

• Enhances Coping: Supportive relationships provide strength to navigate life's difficulties. 

Physical Health Benefits

• Longevity: Research has found that people with strong social bonds helps them live longer and healthier lives.

• Better Health Outcomes: There are connections linked to lower rates of chronic diseases and improved overall health. 

Professional & Academic Benefits

• Academic Success: Students who feel connected socially are more likely to succeed in their studies.

• Workplace Resilience: Social support helps employees recover from burnout and find meaning in their work. 

Foundational to Being Human

• Maslow's Hierarchy: Belonging is a core human need, essential for thriving, just after basic physiological and safety needs.

• Early Development: Strong early attachments are vital in the development of social skills and emotional regulation, which is the ability to monitor, evaluate, and modify ones emotional reactions to achieve common goals or adapt to an environment.

Where to Find Connections with People

• Community: Neighborhoods, schools, workplaces, and recreation centers.

• Relationships: Friends, family, partners, and groups with shared interests. 

Connections and belonging are core to our needs that power well-being, purpose, performance, and resilience. The value of connections and belonging is deeply human and highly practical. It affects our well-being, motivation, identity, and even our ability to succeed in work and community life. When people feel they belong, they don’t just survive, they thrive.

Related article in the Wall Street Journal (may need a subscription to read): Two Simple Ways to Recover Your Humanity: Say hello and put the phone down.