CONNECTION IS KEY ⋆ Run Brave

CONNECTION IS KEY

Since the very first Run Brave challenge I’ve been pretty absent, disconnecting from the world as best I can. Ignoring emails, messages and phone calls and avoiding social media like the plague.

My default behaviour that I turn to when anything in my life becomes difficult is ‘disconnection’. Disconnection from everything and everyone. It’s important to talk about it, because that’s the whole damn point of Run Brave. Yes, Run Brave was created to inspire people that suffer with mental illness to use running as a means to live a stronger life, but it always has and always will be about creating meaningful connections. When we don’t have meaningful connections, we suffer.

We all know the basic ‘rules’ of good health; consume a healthy balanced diet, exercise regularly and get plenty of sleep. What we don’t hear enough about is the importance and impact of social connection on our mental health and longevity. Many studies show the amazing benefits of social connectedness to our overall wellbeing and also the detrimental effects of loneliness and lack of connection www.mhpod.gov.au

"When we don’t have meaningful connections, we suffer."

In fact, notable studies have found that a lack of social connection can increase the risk of death by at least 50% and in some situations, by more than 90%.

Scarily, these figures are similar to well known risk factors for mortality like smoking and alcohol consumption and higher than risk factors like obesity.

Why then, is running so beneficial to our social relationships and connection?

It’s difficult to argue that when you’re running alone in the early hours of the morning, that running is of benefit to our social relationships, however, the benefits of the early morning run don’t end when you walk in the door and jump in the shower. It is a well known fact that exercise produces endorphins and as a result of these feel good chemicals flowing around our body, our mindset changes and lasts well into the rest of the day.

If you’re not running with a club, a friend or a social group, it’s still more likely that as a result of your endorphin induced positive mindset, you’re more likely to interact more positively in a social manner for a number of reasons:

Running improves your mood…which means no biting your work colleagues or friends’ head off today!
Running reduces stress levels…which means more time (or less stressed time) for that coffee break with a friend.
Running makes you more optimistic…people like positive people…your friends will be queuing up to get a piece of the pie! Side note: People like pie more than positivity. Always keep a pie in your back pocket!
Running gives you an improved sense of control and self esteem…You’re more likely to say ‘Yes’ to that party invite because you feel good about yourself…and of course you want a reason to show off your new found runners legs 😉

Running provides us with many benefits and social connection is most definitely one of them. As a result of becoming a runner, it is highly likely that you will end up connecting with other runners in some way, even if it’s just a smile and wave as you pass another runner on your morning trail.

“Running provides us with many benefits and social connection is most definitely one of them.”

Why do I care so much about connection?

Before I was a runner, I was socially isolated. I rejected all invites of a social nature and made excuses to avoid any activity that was out of my comfort zone. My only connections were with my Husband, my Pets (because they’re awesome) and my Family, which I also limited. Efforts made by friends continually waned and my solitude grew. It was by no means my ‘happy place’.

Personally, running has provided me with more social connections than I could ever imagine. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, the running community is an awesome, supportive, inspiring bunch and I love them.

When you’re running along in a Half Marathon feeling like death warmed up and someone faster runs along side you (looking surprisingly robust), first, you want to punch them hard in the throat for not suffering the way you are, but then, words of kindness and encouragement pour out of their mouth like you’re a member of their colossal team of awesomeness. The aggression fades away, the guilt creeps in and then you try to figure out a way of taking them down anyway 😉 Seriously though, connection happens right there and when you cross that finish line, it’s likely the same person who gives you a high five or a hug (Then the guilt seriously kicks in). Runner’s make up one of the biggest gang’s in the world. We’ve got your back in a dark alley. Okay okay, we can run from anything fishy in a dark alley and encourage you to follow…same thing right? You need to be a part of it (not the fishy stuff…just the gang thing…it’s cool)

“Runners make up one of the biggest gang’s in the world…You need to be a part of it.”

At the end of the day, people who feel more connected to others have lower levels of anxiety and depression.

The sad truth is, the opposite occurs for those who lack social connectedness.

Low levels of social connection are linked with a decline in physical and psychological health and an increased likelihood for anti-social behaviour that results in further social disconnection and isolation.

Feeling lonely and disconnected? It’s time to get those runners on and hit the pavement.

After all,