Humans are incredibly social and have always lived in communities. Communities come in all shapes and sizes but there’s always that underlying layer of support and reliance. More and more research is now showing just how important having a community is to your health.
You can think of your health as a garden. Nourishment like the food you eat and physical activity is the seeds, soil, and water. Community and the people around you are the sunlight your garden needs to grow and thrive.
Community can look different for everyone. Many cultural and societal differences can impact how you create community and what role community plays in your life. What’s important is that you have people with whom you share similar values. People who lift you up and support you.
Community comes in all shapes and sizes
The world is a wide and diverse place. People find communities in many different forms and many have multiple layers of communities.
When you think of community, you may just think of your neighbors or people you work with, but any group you form a connection and network of support with can be part of your community.
You may also find community in:
- Your school or your children’s school
- Online forums and social media
- Special interest clubs
- Advocacy groups
- Cultural and ethnic centers organizations
- Places of worship
That’s just the start of it. Any place that people go to gather, whether it’s online or in person is a place where you can start to form a community.
Community and your mental well-being
Community isn’t a term to just throw around or something that can be nice to have. It’s essential to your physical and mental health, as well as your overall well-being.
Everyone wants to feel like they belong, that’s one of the many things that community provides for people. Having a sense of belonging doesn’t just “feel nice”, it’s also a protective factor that helps you feel safe in your environment. A sense of belonging can help people feel supported. This helps them better cope with the ups and downs of life. People who lack a sense of belonging are also at a higher risk of developing mental health conditions like depression and anxiety.
There’s a scientific term called “co-regulation”. This refers to people’s ability to manage stress, regulate emotions, and calm themselves by regulating with another person. You see babies and small children doing this with their parents and caretakers, but adults need people they trust and can also co-regulate with.
Life has its ups and downs, that’s inevitable. Community and having people around you give you the support you need when things get tough and people to celebrate with when things are going well. They’re both equally important and finding that in your community can help give you a sense of purpose and fulfillment.
Community and longevity
Having a community doesn’t just make life easier and more enjoyable, it also can make you live longer!
You may have heard the term “blue zones” before. Blue zones are places where people typically live longer than the average life expectancy. Some known blue zones are Okinawa (Japan), Icaria (Greece), and Loma Linda, California.
There doesn’t seem to be a genetic component to their longevity, but there are a lot of lifestyle similarities. People in blue zones tend to eat a 95% plant-based diet, have exercise built into their daily lives, and emphasize the importance of community.
Most of these blue zones are tight-knit communities that have meals together, share resources, and generally spend much of their time with each other. Many of them are also religious which can offer an extra layer of support – although it is not necessary to experience the benefits of having a community.
How to find your community
Now that you understand the importance of community for your health and well-being, how do you find community? You might already have your family or certain people to rely on, but if you don’t feel like you truly have a sense of community with those around you, then you may want to take some action steps so that you can find that.
Find new hobbies
Hobbies are one of the easiest ways to meet new people and form connections while trying something new or doing something you already enjoy. Starting a hobby doesn’t have to be about getting “good” at something, you can do it simply because you like it and it lets you connect with others who feel the same.
These are just a few ideas of community-oriented hobbies you can try:
- Take an art class
- Join a hiking meet-up
- Find a parent group
- Join a networking group in your field
- Join a fitness studio
- Find a birdwatching group
- Start a book club
Finding community over a hobby can be easier because you have common interests and something to bond for.
Volunteer in your community
Another great way to find a meaningful community is by volunteering for a cause you believe in. Volunteering can support your physical and mental health and give you a sense of meaning and appreciation, which can help reduce stress.
The neat thing about volunteering is that people come together from all different backgrounds to help make a difference in the world. This creates a special bond so you can practice your social skills with people you might not otherwise interact with. You can find volunteer opportunities with nonprofit organizations, hospitals, faith communities, and local community efforts.
Put yourself out there
Even if you go to new places where you’re likely to meet people, you still have to make an effort to connect with people. It can be nerve-wracking at first, especially if you are shy or this doesn’t come naturally to you.
When meeting new people, ask them questions about themselves, find similarities you can bond over, and stay open-minded. You never know who you might connect with! Be gentle with yourself as you put yourself out there more and more, over time this will come more naturally.
Deepen your relationships
You might not need to meet new people to find a sense of community. Sometimes community comes from deepening the relationships that you already have.
Think about the people in your life that you would like to have a deeper connection with. Can you ask them to do more meaningful activities together? Are there questions you can ask them so you can get to know them on a deeper level? You may also want to practice being vulnerable with them about something you’ve struggled with or you’re working on personally.
People can surprise you, so stay open-minded. Fulfilling community comes from being able to create and nurture deeper relationships.
Everyone deserves community
Everyone deserves community just for being on this planet. A sense of belonging is one of the most important things you can do for your health, well-being, and longevity.
It can take time to find “your people” or you might already have them but would like to deepen your relationship with them. Wherever you are in your journey to find community, remember how much you offer the world and how beautiful life is when you share it with those around you.
