Resources

Social Connection

According to a longitudinal study conducted by Harvard, strong healthy relationships are a predictor of living longer, happier, and healthier lives. This is in alignment with WHO’s definition of health, which is a combination of physical, mental, and social health. Social fitness is equally important as physical and mental fitness.

According to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, love and a sense of belonging are essential in leading a healthy life. Strong social connections (family and friends) cater to emotional needs and foster a sense of belonging. This in turn leads to better mental and physical health.

Fostering relationships at home and at work is equally important. With globalization, people staying in one place or working in an organization long enough to build relationships is a rarity. Although recent technological advancements have assisted in maintaining long-distance relationships, face-to-face connections and quality time spent with each other still play a pivotal role in building and maintaining relationships. According to a survey conducted by the World Economic Forum, staying healthy in later life is a major concern for most people.

Apartment dwellings in urban areas should take the opportunity to develop a communal space that recognizes the need for social connection and ensures that activities are available for people to engage meaningfully. Research suggests that there are six health benefits of social participation for older adults:

In addition to better overall well-being, it can also lead to better financial health. Older adults can be a part of the workforce longer. In countries like Japan and Korea, where the elderly population is significantly high, the workforce is heavily dependent on healthy elderly people.

References

1. McKinsey: Aging with Purpose

2. World Economic Forum: Relationships Basis for Long, Healthy Life