I just started listening to (I mostly do audio books) Outliers: The Story of Success. It begins with a discussion of Roseto, PA, a town with a remarkably low incidence of heart disease. Researchers, in an effort to discover why that was, checked out their diet, activity level, environment, and even hereditary factors (the majority of citizens were descendants of immigrants from Roseto, Italy). None of these showed any correlation to Roseto’s uniquely high health levels. Then they realized what was making the difference. It was that Roseto was a tightly knit society with a strong sense of family and community. Their days were spent interacting with others. That connection with others was making them more resistant to disease.

This is not the first time I’ve heard that social connection is a powerful health enhancer. And, in the research I’ve been reading on brain fitness, activities that involve social interaction also enhance brain health.

So what’s the take away message here? We are meant to be interacting with others. If our days are spent being by ourselves, our physical and mental health is at risk. Seek out those chances to connect. Join clubs, groups, classes, be a volunteer, get out and visit friends and family.

For our part in the fitness industry, we are trying to create greater opportunities for social interaction though group exercise classes, small group training, social events at our clubs, creating areas where you can hang out and talk with others, and even using social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter to further your ability to reach out to others. (NY times had an interesting article on social media Online, ‘a Reason to Keep on Going’ )

To coin a telephone commercial slogan, reach out and touch someone. Your life will be enriched for it.