Connectedness: Our Connection to Self, Community, and the World at Large-View Presentation Slides

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The document highlights the importance of connectedness in mental health and lifestyle medicine. Dr. Gia Merlo, a Clinical Professor at NYU and an expert in lifestyle psychiatry, outlines elements essential for brain health and overall well-being, emphasizing social connection, happiness, spirituality, empathy, compassion, purpose, and engagement with nature.<br /><br />Social isolation, notably worsened by COVID-19, is linked to increased stress responses, while robust social connectivity fosters resilience and mental health. For children and adolescents with existing mental health conditions, loneliness exacerbates issues like anxiety and depression, but preliminary studies suggest psychological interventions can alleviate these feelings.<br /><br />Dr. Merlo also discusses how social interaction affects brain development and emphasizes the role of social networks in maintaining cognitive function and mental health in older adults. She underscores the shared neural pathways between social and physical pain, demonstrating common biological foundations.<br /><br />Lifestyle medicine, focusing on non-pharmacological interventions, includes promoting happiness through altruism and cultural understandings. Practices such as laughter therapy and optimism can significantly impact mental health. Spirituality and religiosity are associated with life satisfaction, better health, and reduced depression, offering avenues for improving mental resilience.<br /><br />Empathy and compassion, seen in neurological patterns, can be nurtured and have implications for improving healthcare. Compassion training can enhance cognitive empathy and prosocial behaviors, acting as preventive measures against neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer’s.<br /><br />Finally, developing a purpose in life, shown to protect against cognitive decline and mortality, is supported through meaningful activities and lifestyle choices. Nature-based interventions and physical activities also play a critical role in fostering mental health, particularly during stressful periods like the pandemic.<br /><br />Overall, the document stresses the multifaceted nature of connectedness in promoting holistic health and improving healthcare outcomes, advocating for its integration into practice to enhance life quality and health equity.

Keywords

connectedness

mental health

lifestyle medicine

social connection

brain health

empathy

compassion

social isolation

resilience

cognitive function