The link between social interaction and your immune system

An aspect of health that many optimizers overlook

We hear it all the time. Practically every TED talk—including mine!—reminds you that social interaction is one of the keys to improved mental and physical health. But even I was unaware of how big an impact it can have.

My guest on the podcast today, Kasley Killam, is a leading expert in social health. She told me about a study where researchers followed people and measured how many hugs they got. The people who got more hugs were less likely to catch colds. And if they did catch a cold, they had fewer symptoms.

Many of us (and I speak from experience) tell ourselves the story that we’re too busy or too tired to go out and see our friends. But that calculus might change when you consider that your health may depend upon it.

If you're an extrovert (like me), this science-backed reason to say yes to a night out might be music to your ears. If you’re an introvert (like my wife), this might land differently. While introverts aren't off the hook, it's about finding the type of connection that works for you. That might mean saying no to big parties, but yes to one-on-one coffee dates.  

If you feel like you don’t have friends—which is all too common in these lonely times—here’s a tip: volunteer. Volunteering is not only a way to help others, it's a great way to meet people. It’s also empowering in a world where it’s easy to slide into feelings of hopelessness and helplessness.

Listen or watch today’s pod for much more. And, I’m excited that Kasley Killam herself will be in the subscriber chat today and tomorrow to find out your thoughts and answer your questions. Ask her anything, share your own experiences. I’ll be in and out of the chat too, hope to see you there.

Below, paid subscribers get a cheatsheet of the episode with a list of key takeaways, time-coded highlights, and a full transcript. If you sign up, you’ll also get access to the chat, ability to comment on this and other posts, monthly live-streamed AMAs, and more.