A sense connection can be transformative, as I experienced firsthand when I joined Motivating the Masses with Lisa Nichols. This incredible group has since become my new community, offering unconditional support and a feeling of home.  

   In this culture of division, it often feels increasingly difficult to connect with others. We are often caught up in our own busy lives, confined at home, or immersed in the rhetoric of social media, which can further exacerbate division. As an advocate for well-being, I cannot overstate the importance of mindfulness in all our relationships. 

  Mental health is intrinsically linked to our connections. We are here on this planet to form relationships. By nurturing and expanding these relationships, we grow both in consciousness and heart, enriching our lives and the sphere of influence around us. 

  The World Health Organization defines positive mental health as a state of well-being where humans realize their potential, cope with life’s normal stresses, work productively, and contribute to their communities. Achieving this requires meaningful connections.  

Loneliness can lead to numerous physical and mental health issues that decrease our longevity and increase our suffering. Clinical studies show that those with robust social connections experience less anxiety and sadness, higher self-esteem, and greater trust and cooperation with those around them. 

  Social networks are crucial for dispelling loneliness and improving health. In fact, strong social connections can boost longevity by as much as 50 percent. Whereas the impacts of social disconnection can be even more detrimental than obesity, smoking, and high blood pressure. Our evolutionary history as social beings underscores the importance of community—we thrive in interconnected families and groups. 

Just as a group of Masai tribesmen can fend off a lion, communities can support and protect their members, which fosters growth and resilience. Finding our own communities is an innate human need. It enhances our personal identities, validates our self-worth and self-esteem, and creates a supportive network we can trust. 

  Over the course of my life, I have belonged to several communities—two of which fell apart in 2015 and 2017. This was a profound loss. The pandemic further fragmented my connections, as in-person meetings with the Institute for Functional Medicine were put on hold. Still, I found solace with Motivating the Masses.  

Lisa Nichols has built an incredible family, and I am grateful to both her and the whole Motivating the Masses team for this renewed sense of community. Hearing the phrase, “Welcome Home,” in a group is one of the most uplifting, comforting experiences. 

In a world of so much division, nurturing connections can provide a source of hope and resilience. Motivating the Masses has been that source for me, reminding me of the power that communities and meaningful relationships can have. “Welcome Home” is more than just a phrase—it’s a reassurance that we are all in this together.   

Dr. Fred Harvey is the Medical Director of Functional Medicine Florida. He is quadruple board-certified in Internal, Geriatric, Holistic-Integrative, and Functional Medicine and specializes in chronic illness recovery and prevention. Dr. Harvey is now accepting new patients to work with Dr. Fred Harvey at Functional Medicine Florida. For more information, call 941- 929-9355 or visit https://functionalmedicineflorida.com/

You can also order Dr. Harvey’s best-selling book, Against All Odds, on Amazon. This book chronicles more than 30 true stories of those who have turned some of the most formidable obstacles into transformative opportunities.