Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

GUEST COLUMN:

Reconnecting body, mind and spirit after the pandemic

The author John Steinbeck once smartly penned, “A sad soul can be just as lethal as a germ.” It is a clever phrase and it is spot on. In fact, science backs it up.

So, as we approach the hopeful end of the pandemic and its associated lethality, it is time we address our souls.

It is important to understand that the emotions we feel and the interactions we have with others directly impact our health and well-being. Our brains are hard-wired for connection to others, especially when we are calm. Conversely, when our nervous system is in a heightened state, it makes it much more difficult to connect with others. During these past couple of years with increased isolation and the threat of dying from a lethal virus, many of us may be noticing differences in ourselves, especially in our desire to be alone.

A recent study by the Pew Research Center found that as many as 1 in 10 Americans feel lonely or isolated most of the time. During the height of the pandemic as much as 42% of the workforce worked from home and as much as 33% were not working at all. Even with video platforms allowing for telecommuting, one could argue that virtual meetings do not satisfy the need for deep and meaningful human interaction. In-person interaction is vital to our health and something for which there is no substitute.

A lack of human contact can lead to any number of negative psychological conditions. In infants, failure to thrive is well documented when adequate human touch is not available. We see this in the elderly as well. The absence of a partner or loving relationship can have profound effects on our health and well-being.

In fact, a recent study cited that the harmful effects of social isolation were on par with those inflicted on a human body from heavy smoking. Additionally, the lack of meaningful social relationships has been associated with increased risks for heart disease and loneliness, even contributing to an increased risk for dementia. Think about it: Isolation has been used as punishment throughout human history. Connection is the antidote. As we emerge into this next phase, noticing the person you come into contact with by greeting them and making eye contact may be a first step. Frequently reaching out and calling someone you love is another option. Creating the opportunities to connect with colleagues and friends as you encounter each other all are proactive ways we can care for each other and ourselves.

In addition to increasing our social connections, what else can we do? Dr. Mark Hanson, a neuropsychologist and author, shares how we can hardwire our brains for happiness. His technique involves having positive experiences and reliving them in our brains. This process is not only soothing but with practice and repetition, it can actually change our brains to increase the happy signals and light up areas in the brain responsible for feeling joyful.

Spirituality is similarly important. A recent book written by Dr. Lisa Miller, “The Awakened Brain,” suggests that spirituality combats depression. She considers depression a quest for human interaction and discusses the importance of social interaction for allowing us to feel hope as a collective society. She describes awakened attention, awakened connection, and an awakened heart as some of the steps each of us can take to help change our brains.

Dr. Jamil Zaki, a neuroscientist and psychologist, studies how showing acts of kindness to others is good for us. His lab found that giving money away created the same changes in the brain as eating a piece of chocolate. Additionally, when we help others cope with stress, that helps soothe our stress. Acting generously toward others increases our happiness.

As we look forward to the end of the pandemic, it is time that we value and respect our health by honoring all of the components of ourselves, including our social selves, and the behaviors we choose to engage in that can enhance our health and vitality. The connection between our bodies and our minds is powerful. Go out and play, enjoy nature, get together with friends. The ability to breathe together as a collective, work together, pray together, and play together will go a long way toward getting us back to a sense of normalcy as we hopefully will soon be able to put the pandemic in our rear view mirrors.

Annie Wiseman is director of wellness and integrative medicine at the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV. Marc Kahn is Dean of the school and vice president for health affairs at UNLV.