What is the secret to a fulfilled & happy life?
It's human connection...and this has been proven scientifically!
It's a scary time, as we are officially in a loneliness epidemic. That’s why this month, we’re exploring the many aspects of Relationships, including:
You’ll hear from our experts who have explored a range of popular topics with our editorial team at The Female Lead. Let’s meet them:
Why do Relationships matter so much to all of us? Why are so many of us lonely?
Some key facts and trends;
Fewer people know their neighbours or go to a regular community event (such as church)
More of us are living our lives online, resulting in a decline of real conversations taking place
Social Media can make us feel like everyone's living a more fulfilled and connected life than we are
The rise of dating apps means that finding partners can feel more transactional
Many jobs have become increasingly automated and working from home has led to many workers feeling isolated
More people now live alone, and divorce is rising
As a nation, we have fewer friends, we speak to less people and we even walk faster
Fundamentally, humans are social creatures. We know that the more supportive our families and friends, the happier and more successful we are. We want and need other human beings to reaffirm our existence.
We thrive when we have;
A sense of belonging:
We thrive when we are accepted. Spending time with people helps us feel that we’re not alone.
A feeling of self-worth:
Being accepted and called a friend reinforces our value and self-worth.
A feeling of security.
We feel comfort in knowing that we have people who will cherish and help us.
But relationships aren't always easy. Being a friend, a partner, a parent, a colleague takes work and our connections need to be thoughtful and nurtured.
Our top experts have prepared tips on navigating the ups and downs of relationships – from friends to partners, from parents to colleagues and many more.
By upgrading your subscription today, you’ll unlock our full content series with over 30 videos covering a wider range of experiences related to relationships and how they uniquely affect women. You’ll explore areas like:
How to deal with personality clashes at work
How to healthily argue in a relationship
How to rebuild trust
What does an unhealthy relationship look like?
What if I'm scared of messing up my child
What is my fight language?
Advice for people trying to come out to their parents
Choose a paid monthly or annual subscription to unlock the full series below.
The more we understand, the better able we are to take control of our life and make good decisions.
We wish you a wonderful month ahead. It’s time to build better and stronger relationships with those that matter to you or just as importantly, time to shed those that are damaging or toxic.
Good luck!
The Female Lead
Notes:
1.In the US the Surgeon General has declared it an official health warning and in the UK, 3.3 million people in the UK have been declared chronically lonely – a figure that has increased by a million since the pandemic hit, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
2.The number of single person households has increased by 8.3pc over the last 10 years in the UK, and ranges from 25.8pc in London to 36pc in Scotland, according to the ONS.
3.Urban walking speeds are 10pc higher than they were in the early 1990s, according to research by the British Council.
4.Loneliness is associated with a greater risk of cardiovascular disease, dementia, stroke, depression, anxiety, and premature death.
5.The mortality impact of being socially disconnected is similar to that caused by smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day, and even greater than that associated with obesity and physical inactivity.
6. As a nation, we have fewer friends.