Our Fractured World and Wellbeing

Today, I ask you to pause with me to reflect. Contemplate how our fractured world impacts your mental wellbeing. Let’s explore our fractured world and wellbeing.

A World in Distress

Tall order to address in this section, I agree.

Our world is in distress. The distress is palpable all around us. The distress is witnessed. The distress is visible to many people. The distress is killing us, literally and figuratively.

I never meant this blog to become political. I must acknowledge that politics is driving much of the distress in our world.

Fact: our world is in distress.

Wellbeing is a Process

Recall the statement which I have reiterated frequently. Wellbeing is not an outcome. Achieving a sense of wellbeing is a process.

Achieving a state of peace and reaching for reconciliation in our world constitute processes. Each of us is tasked to flex our social muscles and practice diplomacy along the way. We can taxi our way into wellbeing, as members of our communities and as citizens of this world.

But, the process requires effort and a concerted desire to work together for peace, for the resolution of conflict, and towards wellbeing.

Social Connectedness

In 2024, I reviewed the report entitled The Global State of Social Connections. Key Findings.

https://www.gallup.com/analytics/509675/state-of-social-connections.aspx#jumpAlt1

The relevance of this report to today’s discussion will be apparent after we review some data related to social connectedness, as enumerated below:

1. Social relationships have a robust effect on mortality.
2. Social isolation and depression are correlated with the existence of coronary artery disease (heart disease, in the vernacular).
3. Social support and social connectedness impact a person’s perception of their psychological stress and their depressive symptoms.
4.  Social connectedness is linked to longevity (how long we live).
5. Increased wellbeing is associated with spending less time alone and more time speaking with other people. Increased wellbeing is associated with less small talk (social interactions on a superficial level) and with more substantive conversations (deeper rather than superficial interactions).
6. Inflammation is associated with a history of stress prior in life and previous depression, both of which can impact stress reactivity by interacting with social rejection and genetic variables. In other words, the risk for inflammation results from many interrelated variables including a history of stress; a history of depression; and our genetics. Inflammation is implicated in a host of physical and mental health conditions.
7. Physical affection can be correlated with positive mood and a reduction in stress occurrences.
8. Laughter (often associated with social interactions but not always) can improve arterial function (the function of blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood).
9. Enjoyable activities increase positive affect (mood) in the context of stressful life events and decrease negative affect in the context of stressful life events.

Ponder these points. Stress, social connection, physical affection, laughter, enjoyable activities, and social support. Not enough of these positives are circulating between individuals, countries, cultural groups, and communities, in my opinion.

We can change the current state of affairs. Yes, we can.

Take-aways: World in Distress and Wellbeing

Our fractured world did not arrive at its current state overnight. On the contrary, I contend that we have arrived here over time. People simply ignored the signs. We let a wound grow deeper and deeper. We allowed infection to set in and to fester. The parasite gnawing on our flesh requires action now before it kills us.

We can take action.

What We Can Do: Fractured World and Wellbeing

Connect with your neighbour. Greet a stranger. Offer help when someone needs it. Challenge hate and abuse when you witness them.

Do not be silent. But, do not pretend that you are the only person who has the “right” answer. Likely, you are not entirely correct. Likely, you do not always get it right.

Fact: you are not omniscient.

Remember that we work better together than in isolation.

Of course, inspire yourself with music.

The U.S. Army Voices – United We Stand/Music to Connect

Be safe. Be kind. Listen and hear, then you might also be heard.

Let’s usher our fractured world into wellbeing.

Disclaimer: This post is not meant to substitute for a consultation with your mental health professional team.

If you are having thoughts of harming yourself or someone else, please CALL 9-1-1; CALL 9-8-8; or GO TO the nearest emergency room.

Additional resources on the topic include the following links:

Connectedness & Health: The Science of Social Connection

Connectedness & Health: The Science of Social Connection

The Power Science of Social Connection: Emma Seppälä TEDx

Rich Diviney (April 14, 2022). The Neuroscience of Connection and Teamwork/Featuring Dr. Paul J. Zak. Accessed online on March 9, 2025, at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QcjgKUC8Z8E

UN Innovation Network. June 15, 2023. The Neuroscience of Peace and Conflict. Accessed online on March 9, 2025, at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxJPHLbipNM

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