There are certain summers that stick with you—not because everything went smoothly, but because life had a way of handing you exactly the lessons you needed. My internship in the state of Washington, the summer of 1980, was one of those. Back then, I was a junior at Iowa State, trying to line up all the things I thought would guarantee a good job after graduation: solid grades, some campus involvement, and most importantly, that golden ticket on any engineering résumé—an internship in your field. So I spent the spring sending out application after application, collecting a thick stack of rejection letters in return. It became routine enough that some days I’d find myself laughing at how efficiently companies could say “No thanks.” My dorm room wall was full of “flush letters” and I treated it like it was a badge of honor.
Step 6 to Better Health_Stay Socially Connected
Step 6 to Better Health_Stay Socially Connected
Social connections are an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. In the sixth step of our “9 Steps to Better Health” series, we focus on staying socially connected. Humans are social creatures, and maintaining relationships and participating in group activities can significantly impact our mental and physical well-being. In this blog post, we’ll explore why staying socially connected matters and how you can build meaningful relationships to foster a sense of community and support.
Maintaining relationships with friends, family, and community groups is crucial for combatting loneliness and promoting a sense of belonging. Here’s why staying connected matters:
Mental Health: Strong social connections reduce the risk of depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders. Feeling connected helps foster a sense of purpose and meaning in life.
Physical Health: Studies show that people with robust social networks tend to have lower stress levels, better immune function, and a reduced risk of chronic diseases.
Longevity: Social relationships are linked to increased longevity, suggesting that staying socially connected can help you live a longer, healthier life.
It’s important to put effort into maintaining relationships, especially in today’s fast-paced, often technology-driven world. Here are some tips to help you stay connected with friends, family, and community groups:
Schedule Regular Check-Ins: Whether it’s a phone call, video chat, or in-person visit, regularly connecting with loved ones keeps relationships strong.
Plan Social Activities: Organize gatherings with friends and family, such as dinners, game nights, or outings. This helps maintain a sense of connection and shared experiences.
Reach Out to Old Friends: Reconnecting with friends from the past can be rewarding and help you expand your social network.
Volunteer: Joining community groups or volunteering for local causes allows you to meet new people and give back to your community.
Participating in group activities is a fantastic way to stay active and engaged with others. These activities provide opportunities to socialize while promoting physical health. Here’s why group activities are beneficial:
Increased Motivation: Group activities often come with built-in accountability, making it easier to stay committed to regular physical activity.
Social Interaction: Joining group activities allows you to meet new people, expand your social circle, and build new friendships.
Stress Reduction: Participating in group activities can be a fun way to relieve stress and boost overall mood.
There are countless ways to participate in group activities. Whether you’re interested in fitness, hobbies, or community involvement, there’s something for everyone. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Fitness Classes: Join a group exercise class, such as yoga, pilates, or aerobics. These classes often foster a sense of community and make working out more enjoyable.
Walking or Running Groups: These groups offer a supportive environment to stay active while socializing. It’s a great way to combine exercise with social interaction.
Recreational Clubs: Consider joining clubs for sports, hobbies, or other activities you enjoy. From gardening clubs to book clubs, there’s a group for almost every interest.
Community Events: Attend local events, such as fairs, concerts, or charity runs. These events provide a great opportunity to meet new people.
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The Internship That Changed Everything
Long Lake Summers
There are seasons in life you don’t see coming—chapters that don’t announce themselves with fanfare, yet settle so deeply into your memory that years later you can still smell the lake water, feel the pull of the tow rope, and hear the hum of a boat engine echoing across a still summer evening. For me, one of those chapters began the moment I graduated from Iowa State in May of 1981 and took my first real job at 3M. I was barely 22, carrying that mix of confidence and cluelessness that only a new graduate can pull off, and ready to step into the adult world.
Hero of the Beach
When I think back to my childhood— maybe around nine years old—there’s a very specific smell, a very specific feeling, that comes rushing back: the scent of ink and old paper from a stack of Marvel comic books. It’s funny how memory works. I can’t remember what I ate last Tuesday, but I can still picture—clear as day—the cover of The Amazing Spider-Man #56 with the Daily Bugle headlines screaming "Spidey joins Doc Ock" sitting on the floor of my bedroom, or the way the corner store rack looked when I spun it, hoping for a new issue of anything with the red-and-blue web-slinger on the front.