Being part of a community adds purpose and joy to our lives. In its simplest form, a community is a group of people with something in common. That shared factor could be family, geography, faith, an activity, or life stage. It could also be an overlapping interest, passion, or profession.
The deeper aspect of a community, is that enriches the lives of its members. It gives you a shared sense of trust, connection, and caring for one another. It is part of what leads to enjoying a fulfilling life. The American Psychological Association published an article on having meaningful interactions with those around us. They found that these interactions could:
- Improve our mood and our sense of belonging to our community
- Have a positive impact on those people by generating a kind of implicit network of support and connection
On the flip-side, the impacts of low social connection on health include:
- Elevated risk factors. Studies show people who lack strong social connections are also more likely to suffer from high levels of stress and inflammation, and face higher risk for suicide and early death.
- Chronic disease. Research consistently links the lack of social connectedness with health conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, immune disorders and cancer. suicide and early death.
- Mental health. Social isolation can also impact mental health and well-being. Strong social ties are crucial to mental health—they can lower stress and anxiety and help people thrive.
Ultimately, communities give people a supportive group to help them cope with difficult challenges, band together to solve problems, and celebrate life’s lighter moments.
Types of Communities
Because communities can align along many factors, such as location, identity, interests, or organization, you may already belong to several without even realizing it. Some examples of communities include:
- Neighbors
- Faith-based organizations
- Hobby-focused clubs
- Volunteer groups
- Classes
- Alumni networks
- Professional development groups
- Employee resource groups
- Your kids’ sports teams, classroom and activity groups
- Gym, yoga or athletic-based group
Being Part of a Community Impacts Your Mental Health
Communities are inherently about relationships with others and a feeling of connectedness, which have a major impact on mental health. Without community, people may feel more isolated and lonelier. One of the ways we can strengthen our mental health is by building community and creating the social connection and support to have more vulnerable conversations. By creating spaces where open dialogue is safe and encouraged, people can deepen their understanding of one another, work together to address challenges, and find the support they need to navigate tough times.
One of the ways we can strengthen our mental health is by building community and creating the social connection and support to have more vulnerable conversations. By creating spaces where open dialogue is safe and encouraged, people can deepen their understanding of one another, work together to address challenges, and find the support they need to navigate tough times.
Benefits of Communities
At their best, being part of a group provides social connections, friendship, and practical and emotional support. They can help us see the world in new ways and provide needed perspective. Some other benefits include:
- A support network
- Professional development
- Sense of purpose
- Alleviate stress
- New inspiration and ideas
- Empowered decision-making
- Better communication skills
- Greater resilience
At their best, being part of a group provides social connections, friendship, and practical and emotional support. They can help us see the world in new ways and provide needed perspective.
Start Building Your Communities
We all need community. Start looking for ways to get involved with the communities in your life. Not sure where to start? The beauty of communities is that you can contribute just by participating. Just showing up can enrich your life, the lives of others, and ultimately build more resilient organizations and societies.