You Can’t Be Your Best Self Until You Do This
Find Your Tribe — a common anthem of self-discovery and personal affirmation in the late 2010s. And while this phrase may now appear as disposable as the keychains it’s printed on, there’s actual science behind it.
It’s been long established by social and behavioral studies that we’re social creatures by nature, and when unable to engage with like-minded others, the consequences can be detrimental to our health. Social isolation, disengagement, and loneliness have been causatively linked to higher risks for a variety of physical and mental conditions: high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, weakened immune system, anxiety, depression, and even death.
All of which may be terrible news for the 54% of Generation Z individuals nationwide who report frequent loneliness and isolation, according to the UCLA Loneliness Scale, the standard measurement for loneliness research.
The transient nature of cities and the migration of Gen Z individuals to urban destinations appears to have contributed to this. Cities such as Austin, TX, a mecca for Gen Z members and workers, estimate an average of 152 newcomers moving to their city every day.
So, can “Finding Your Tribe” in a new place actually translate into personal happiness?
According to the data, the answer would seem to be yes.
A sense of wellbeing and active participation within a thriving community are at the heart of a healthy home and are essential for a stable neighborhood according to a recent study published in the journal City & Community, which examined the relationship between the experience of home and wellbeing.
The good news — the key to happiness might be right next door. The study also found that being a friendly neighbor who engages with others on a routine basis within their immediate environment is linked to increased personal satisfaction, healthy lifestyles, and thriving local communities.
Identifying communities that we feel authentically connected to defined on who we are, our lifestyles, and our interests may not only help us achieve personal joy and satisfaction but may also promote sound physical and mental wellbeing, making engaging with others not only a pleasure but a healthy and rewarding habit to form.
We’ve come a long way from borrowing a cup of sugar from our neighbors; it seems we can now achieve healthy lifestyles together as well.
At dwellio, we’re working to make connecting to happiness and healthy communities more accessible for everyone. We’ve spent years exploring the relationships of obtaining individual and family happiness through place, and we’re just getting started.
Soon, you’ll have the power to discover the best place for you to call home simply by being who you already are, and like a helpful neighbor, we’ll be there to lend a hand.
Join the conversation @mydwellio.
