“Well, Hello!”
If you’ve ever found yourself anxiously awaiting the arrival of friends or family at the airport, you’ll recognise that little surge of anticipation every time that sliding door opens. Will it be them this time?
If not, there’s that trickle of disappointment, but then you get caught up in watching the joy, hugs and tears shared by those now reunited, and you feel happy for them.
Humans are social. We evolved that way. Various theories have proposed it provides safety (you’re protected by being part of a group), it leads to greater collaboration and sharing of knowledge (and food).
There’s something else too.
“Social connection is critical to our overall health and for our healthy habits to be sustainable.”
Social connection is one of the core pillars of lifestyle medicine. As a lifestyle medicine practitioner, I am acutely aware how much social support matters when assisting individuals to gain better health and well-being.
You may have heard that loneliness is as bad for your health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day or being an alcoholic. But did you know the strength of your social network can improve the odds of your survival by 50%?
Think about that for a moment.
Suppose you’ve been diagnosed with heart disease, or cancer. You’d want to ensure that you’ve got the odds in your favour of doing well.
There is an array of medical treatments to help and highly qualified practitioners to assist, but ultimately, it’s having the support of someone or others that makes a significant difference.
You’ve heard that Exercise is Medicine and that Nature is Medicine.
Now you know that Connection is Medicine.
The role of Oxytocin
Oxytocin is sometimes called the bonding or cuddle hormone. It works as a hormone and neurotransmitter, stimulating social bonding. Hearing your newborn baby cry stimulates its release. Couples deeply in love have lots of oxytocin flowing. But’s also important for helping to establish other social relationships, whether as friends or in the workplace.
The first time you meet someone, your brain has determined in a fraction of a second whether this person is a friend or foe, even before you’ve said hello or shaken hands.
Perhaps you have had that experience where you just ‘click’ with someone. It’s that delicious feeling of safety, security and trust. Delightful! Oxytocin plays an important role in determining our social behaviours and regulating stress and mental health.
You can trigger more oxytocin release through eye and skin contact. Have you ever wondered why different cultures use touch in greeting? Whether you like to air kiss, rub noses, touch someone’s forehead, lay a reassuring arm on the shoulder, give them a Hi-Five or shake their hand, you can be sure there’s plenty of oxytocin in the room.
Oxytocin spray has also been used to improve social skills in some children with autism.
And yes, there’s more. Oxytocin is what’s called a powerful immunomodulator meaning it has an anti-inflammatory action (that’s good), enhances Natural Killer cell activity (also good), reduces stress (very good) and modulates (reduces) pain (very helpful).
This takes me back to childbirth – a somewhat painful experience for many women. It certainly was for me! Having my husband in the room at the time was very helpful, not just for mopping my brow but because it was easier to manage the pain better in his presence. Then, when our son was finally delivered, the joy (read oxytocin) meant the memory of all that pain and discomfort was forgotten. Well, at least temporarily.
The role of Social Prescribing
A social prescription is as it sounds. It’s a non-clinical community-based intervention designed to encourage social connection if you’re suffering from loneliness or are recovering from injury or illness.
Social prescriptions can take many forms and are chosen through shared decision-making. If I see someone who is struggling with poor mental health, like anxiety or mild to moderate depression, we’ll discuss what social activities they like and are willing to engage with.
This could be anything from community gardening, joining a painting class, becoming a volunteer in a community project or joining a choir.
Loneliness can present in many different scenarios. It’s not something many of us find easy to talk about because of the associated shame and perceived stigma.
For example, I’ve witnessed it in FIFO workers who work remotely for extended periods of time away from family and friends.
Then there are the caregivers: new parents, those living with a partner or family member who is ill, has a terminal illness, limited mobility or dementia.
Others who have moved interstate or to a new country for work, which can be exciting, and lonely. It takes time to meet people and establish new friendships.
Diana is a single parent. Work and looking after her son take up all her time. She rarely socialises and has been quite depressed. She joined an online support group which over time has given her the confidence to now look for an activity that both she and her son can do together.
Importantly, her depression has resolved and her risk of relapse from joining a community group is now halved.
When Bill lost his wife of 60 years, he became socially withdrawn and stopped interacting with family and friends. Helping him took the form of encouraging him to join a men’s shed, where he became actively involved in a project fixing bicycles for kids. Rediscovering his self-identity and having purpose again gave him a reason to get up in the morning.
Become a social connector.
March 26th is #SocialPrescribingDay
This is YOUR opportunity to make social prescribing a reality.
If you’re looking for inspiration, the Global Social Prescribing Alliance has some great ideas, which I share below.
I love how they describe social prescribing as “prescribing a life, not just medicine.”
🌱 Green – Nature-based activities for mental & physical wellbeing (e.g., community gardening, nature walks, forest bathing).
🌊 Blue – Water-based activities for health benefits (e.g., wild swimming, coastal walks, river mindfulness).
🎨 Arts & Culture – Creative engagement to support emotional health (e.g., art classes, music therapy, theatre, museum visits).
🧘 Physical Activity – Tailored movement and exercise (e.g., walking groups, yoga, swimming, dance).
🤝 Social & Community – Reducing isolation through connections (e.g., friendship clubs, volunteering, peer support).
🧠 Mental Health & Wellbeing – Non-clinical mental health support (e.g., mindfulness, meditation, resilience workshops).
💼 Work & Skills – Building confidence, skills, and purpose (e.g., job clubs, mentoring, skills workshops).
🏘️ Practical Support – Assistance with daily challenges affecting health (e.g., housing, debt advice, food banks).
This is about making a difference, helping someone to know that they belong and that they are part of a community.
Your small act of kindness will go a long way to improving the other person’s health (both physical and mental).
It’s about being human and showing you care.
What social prescribing activity can you get involved with?
I’d love to hear what you do.
