Social Connections

The Quote

"Show me your friends and I'll show you your future." - Dan Peña

The Facts

Your social environment can influence and shape you. Time spent with positive, supportive people can strengthen your brain's positive response networks.

You've probably heard, "you're the average of the five people you spend the most time with".

The idea behind this emphasises the importance of your network and who you connect with - surrounding yourself with people who inspire you, positively challenge you and support your growth.

When you spend time with people who genuinely care about you, your body releases oxytocin and reduces cortisol.

This doesn't just feel good, it can help boost your immune system, lower blood pressure and even help with healing.

Your own positive behaviour can create ripple effects, potentially lifting the mood of the entire group.

Some relationships can drain you rather than energise you. Some signs may include:

• You feel exhausted after spending time with someone

• They rarely celebrate your wins (or quickly change the subject)

• The conversation is mostly complaints or gossip

• You find yourself walking on eggshells around them

• There are subtle (or overt) put downs

Creating balance and boundaries with people who can impact you negatively can be beneficial to your overall wellbeing.

Loneliness activates similar regions of the brain as physical pain, which explains why rejection or exclusion may feel like it hurts.

Some people create exclusive cliques or divisive dynamics in relationships. The fear of being on the outside is so powerful that creating "insiders" and "outsiders" becomes a way to secure one's own position.

Throughout evolution, exclusion from the group could be harmful to the individual, which helps explain why social politics can feel so intensely important to our brains.

Thoughts

Think about the last time you felt truly positive and energised after spending time with someone. What qualities did that person bring to the interaction? The traits that resonate with you reveal what you value most in human connection

How might you cultivate more of those qualities in yourself? (or even just recognise what qualities you already have - and help spread the joy!).

Think about a time when you felt drained after an interaction. What took place? Recognising this may help you to identify patterns that don't serve your wellbeing.

Could weaving in space and boundaries with these interactions benefit you? Protecting your energy creates more capacity for the relationships that truly matter.

Ok that’s all, for now!