No Matter What’s Next, You’ll Need Your Tribe

Do you remember? 2020 was tough.

Between the pandemic turning our world upside down and unprecedented challenges we never imagined, many of us couldn't to "get back to normal."

One thing I learned through that experience is that we will always need people to survive and live our best lives.  Our relationships are key to our well-being, let’s look at the reasons why.

The following is adapted from Assemble the Tribe.

Support Helps Us Grow

Our support networks don’t just pick us up when we’re down; they help us to become better versions of ourselves. 

These relationships are important for both our personal and professional lives. For example, research shows that strong relationships in the workplace reduce burnout and provide us with a sense of belonging. 

A study published by the Society for Personality and Social Psychology highlighted: “Health at work is determined to a large extent by our social relationships in the workplace and, more particularly, the social groups we form there.” 

While coronavirus may prevent you from connecting with your peers in-person, you can still do so virtually. 

Connections Make Us Brave 

Our relationships often expose us to new ideas and experiences. Sometimes these experiences can introduce us to a new hobby or lead us to a new place.

When our relationships include positive peer pressure they can positively influence our attitudes and behaviors. A study by Dr. Debra Umberson, PhD, and Jennifer Karas Montez highlighted that our happiness can be impacted or spread through our social networks.

I have a friend who is one of the most positive people you could ever meet. A year ago, she was in a deep personal health and family crisis. However, in the midst of it all, she was able to maintain a hopeful, positive, and happy spirit. Just being in her presence was incredibly inspiring. Her happy outlook helped those around her to think more positively about the challenges we tackled every day. 

Celebrating successes and encouraging each other can also shift the tone and atmosphere in relationships—and we could all use more to celebrate these days. 

Relationships Help Us Live Longer 

Having strong connections and support networks are crucial during difficult times, but they also help us live healthier lives long term. 

Research shows that we are more likely to live longer, fulfilled lives if we have quality relationships that sustain us emotionally. However, the quality of our relationships matter. For example, lower-quality relationships can lead to higher instances of illnesses such as high blood pressure, cancer, and increased risk of mortality.

In addition to relationship quality, our ability to connect matters as well. A 2015 study conducted by psychologist Julianne Holt-Lunstad and colleagues looked at the data of 3.4 million people across seventy studies. The study found that we expose ourselves to significant health risks when we are lonely or socially isolated. Loneliness, social isolation, and living alone increases the likelihood of death by 29 percent on average.

Take Action Now

If you're feeling the pressure of the new year already, it's time to take action. Reach out to your tribe today, reconnect with your support circle, and make sure you're continuing to nurture those relationships. 

We’ve all experienced moments of stress in our lives. Even though it might not seem like it, these moments can bring us closer together. That’s why having a support network is crucial—the people in that network can help you get through difficult times.

So don't stop investing in your tribe. During the good times and bad, our deepest, most authentic relationships are formed when we work to stay connected and stay strong.

Get started today.

Xo

Leah 

P.S. It’s your turn

Do you know who your tribe is? Do you regularly reach out to stay connected?

P.P.S. Are you ready to go deeper? 

Find out more in Assemble the Tribe here!

For more advice on building strong relationships, you can find Assemble the Tribe on Amazon.

Leah JM Dean is a bestselling author, speaker, coach, and trusted advisor to organizations and leaders across the globe. She is also Founder and CEO of Conduit International Ltd., a professional and personal development solutions company dedicated to helping organizations, leaders, and women work smarter, live well, and foster meaningful connections. A self-proclaimed recovering workaholic, Leah is passionate about helping her clients find strategies to optimize their work, invest in their wellbeing, and make a lasting impact on the lives of those they touch. Join our community to receive our monthly newsletter—full of practical tips, tools, and inspiration. Sign up at www.leahjmdean.com/join.