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Live to Connect, Connect to Live

By Shannon Kasun, Neuroscience Specialist


Human connection is the closest thing to magic in our mundane world.


A tight embrace from a loved one, enveloping you like a warm blanket. The sweet chatter and laughter that fill an otherwise silent room. A bright smile that lights up a stranger’s face, wrinkles adorning their kind eyes, when you hold open the door for them. The “I love you’s,” “thank you’s,” “can you talk’s,” and “I’m proud of you’s.”


It’s what we live for.


And it’s also what helps us live better—and longer.


Community. Connection. Belonging.


These are the guiding principles of Blue Zones—regions across the globe where people consistently live the longest. A study of the five Blue Zones revealed that these three pillars were common threads woven through each community, suggesting a powerful link between connection and longevity.


Further research found that many Blue Zone residents were active members of faith-based communities. Those who regularly attended services lived 4–14 years longer than those who did not (Buettner & Skemp, 2016). Interestingly, the specific denomination didn’t seem to matter. Perhaps it’s not the religion itself, but the ritual of gathering, the sense of belonging, the friendship, the love—the connection—that nurtures a longer life.


The takeaway?


Find your group. Immerse yourself in your community. Be an active participant. Be a companion. Be the connection.


Because if you're living to connect, your connections just might help you live.


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