This Mental Health Week (May 4-10), the Canadian Mental Health Association is inviting you to connect with community and yourself! Together, we can strengthen belonging, reduce isolation, and support well-being, because connection strengthens mental health.
When we bond with other people (and animals) and feel a sense of connection, our brain’s reward system gets activated. Getting a smile or receiving a verbal sign of approval activates our sense of well-being and motivation. This happens because affirming social interactions release dopamine and oxytocin, our body’s natural opioids, which increases our motivation to bond.
Loneliness, social isolation, and lack of social support produce a stress response in our brains and bodies which activates – and dysregulates – the hypothalamic pituitary-adrenocortical axis, more simply known as the HPA axis. When the HPA axis (or stress system) becomes dysregulated, it can affect our:
- Mood and emotional regulation
- Thinking, focus, and memory
- Energy levels
- Immune function
- Metabolism Loneliness linked to long-term stress increases the risk of developing chronic health conditions.
The stress response that is activated from the experience of loneliness and prolonged feelings of social isolation has been associated with:
- Depressive symptoms
- Self-harm and suicide, particularly when the person is also experiencing depressive symptoms and/or a substance use health problem.
- Heightened inflammation
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease (29% increased risk)
- Stroke (32% increased risk)
- Faster aging and physiological decline
- Early death (associated with above mentioned health problems).
Research shows that certain factors help buffer against loneliness and the negative impacts it can have on our health. Some of these factors are individual – such as our personality traits – and others are shaped by our social environment and circumstances. They include:
- Having a secure attachment style (being caring, vulnerable and open, but practicing good boundaries and healthy conflict resolution)
- Having strong parent-child attachments and fostering a healthy home environment
- Being married or partnered in a relationship that is supportive and trusting
- Access to healthy school and workplace environments
- Access to good social, economic, and health supports, including adequate income, meaningful employment, housing, healthcare and education opportunities
- Participating in community groups, such as:
- Sports or recreation teams
- Cultural or faith communities
- Advocacy, volunteer, or social groups
