My cousin Charles and his family came up to the cottage this past
weekend. It was nice to see them. I can’t remember the last time we all
got together. There was a time though when I saw Charles on a regular
basis, but that’s not the case any more.
Growing up, I saw my relatives all the time. Every week we paid a
visit to someone’s house and it wasn’t just on weekends. You didn’t need
to call in advance – just hop in the car and go. We’d visit my
grandparents or go over to an uncle and aunt’s house. I saw my cousins
all the time. It was the way of life back then.
Today, it’s a different story. Everyone has their own family now and
everyone is busy. Face-to-face social interactions are virtually gone.
Even phone calls seem to be extinct. Now we interact via text or social
media. Unless it’s a wedding, funeral or the odd social event, you
rarely see extended family any more. Believe it or not, that can lead to
suboptimal health.
Our primary source of nutrition comes from the food we eat, but there are other sources that you may not have thought of, like sunshine, sleep and social interaction. Yes, we’re actually “nourished” by each other’s company. There’s no better example of that than the story of Roseto, Pennsylvania:
Take-Home Message: If you’re deficient in “real life” social interaction, then make it a priority to unplug and reconnect with family and friends.
