How We Connect Impacts Our Health

What is Relational Health?

The Harvard University Center for Wellness emphasizes that relational health involves establishing and maintaining meaningful relationships with oneself, other individuals, groups, and communities. This aspect of health develops through our interactions and connections with others.

The American Academy of Pediatrics policy on early Relational health asserts that the ability to form and maintain safe, stable, nurturing relationships (SSNRs) serve as powerful buffers to childhood adversity and toxic stress responses and help build resilience.

Relational health refers to the quality and strength of the bonds we maintain with those around us. Positive, supportive relationships help us thrive, while a lack of connection can contribute to feelings of isolation and loneliness. By nurturing healthy relationships, we create a foundation for a healthier, more fulfilling life.

Loneliness is an epidemic.

1 in 2 adults have experienced loneliness.

Loneliness -A subjective distressing experience that results from perceived isolation or inadequate meaningful connections, where inadequate refers to the discrepancy or unmet need between an individual’s preferred and actual experience.
Solitude A state of aloneness by choice that does not involve feeling lonely.
Objectively having few social relationships, social roles, group memberships, and infrequent social interaction.

Why is Relational Health Important?

We are living in an era characterized by a widespread epidemic of loneliness. Many individuals feel unloved and undervalued, which has led to the breakdown of human connection and a rise in social isolation. The consequences of this phenomenon are evident in recent data; according to the Journal of the American Medical Association, feelings of loneliness among U.S. adolescents aged 12 to 18 increased dramatically from 20% in 2007 to 31% in 2021.

Recognizing the severity of the problem, the U.S. Surgeon General declared loneliness a public health emergency in 2023. The report revealed that half of all adults experience loneliness. This pervasive feeling does not just affect our mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being—it also has serious implications for our physical health. The associated risk of death from social disconnection is comparable to smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day and even exceeds the risks posed by obesity and insufficient physical activity.

Loneliness has become an increasingly significant concern, particularly among younger generations. According to a 2024 survey published by Harvard, individuals aged 30 to 44 report the highest levels of loneliness, with 29% indicating they experience it regularly. This is followed by the 18 to 29 age group, where 24% report feeling lonely. The prevalence of loneliness decreases with age, with 20% of those aged 45 to 64 and only 10% of adults aged 65 and older reporting similar feelings. In the same survey, the leading causes of loneliness include technology use (73%), insufficient family time (66%), being overworked or tired (62%), mental health challenges (60%), living in an individualistic society (58%), and a lack of spiritual life (50%).

Over the past three decades as a pediatrician in various environments, I’ve observed a significant transformation in pediatric care from focusing on physical issues to a growing emphasis on behavioral and mental health challenges. Sadly, for young people and adults ages 15 to 34, the leading causes of death are unintentional injuries, suicide, and homicide. For children ages 10 to 14, the four main causes are unintentional injuries, suicide, cancer, and homicide, according to CDC data. In a recent study noted in 2025 in the Journal of the American Medical Association the health of US children has steadily declined in the last 17 years with a higher death rate and more chronic physical, developmental and mental health conditions.

The Power of Messages and Self-Perception

In addition to societal factors, negative messages from both the world around us and our own internal dialogue can further diminish our sense of self-worth. These harmful thoughts are often shaped by the judgments of others and may manifest as internal statements such as: "You're not good enough," "You're a mistake," "You're not valuable," "You're a failure," "You're lacking," "You'll never be forgiven," and "You can't." Such messages erode self-esteem and contribute to emotional pain.

Benefits of Supportive Networks

Building a network rooted in supportive relationships can strengthen feelings of satisfaction and security. These connections are not only emotionally beneficial but also have a big impact on physical well-being.