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| Human beings are social creatures by nature. In part because we depend on each other for just about everything—from niceties like companionship to necessities like food and shelter. Medical science backs up the benefit of being with others. Numerous studies have shown that married people tend to be healthier and, as a result, live longer. And touch is essential to healthy development in newborns. |
| A chemical reaction |
| How people make us feel good |
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| Be a people person |
| Four easy ways to be more social |
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| The human connection |
| How we do it at Swedish Covenant Hospital |
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| What makes you feel better? |
| Tell us and show us | View the gallery |
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| A chemical reaction |
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The good feeling we get from being with loved ones is the result of chemical reactions in the body. A hormone called oxytocin is released in the body during social contact. It is involved in social recognition and bonding and may help form trust between people. Among other good things, oxytocin appears to lessen the effects of stress (cortisol) on the body, which results in faster healing, and also stimulates a woman’s maternal instinct to nurture.
Beyond oxytocin, simple pleasures like laughing have been shown to help the body heal by relaxing muscles and boosting the immune system (read about our laughter yoga class). And you’re much more likely to laugh when in the company of others. |
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| Be a people person |
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By now you’re convinced of the merits of spending quality time with other human beings. But it seems increasingly difficult to do so, given the multi-tasking pace in which we live today and endless supply of technologies that make it easy to stay isolated. What to do?
Start small. Here are a few easy ideas to get you started: |
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| Email a friend to set up a visit |
| Email has changed the way we stay in touch. Trouble is, it’s often the only way we stay in touch. An idea: in the next email you send your best friend, suggest a date and location for lunch or a weekend play date with the kids. |
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| Eat lunch with others as often as possible |
Eating at your desk may help you check off an item or two during lunch, but your productivity will be higher when you return if you take a quick break to chat with
a colleague. |
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| Turn off the TV during dinner |
| For many of us, the mere suggestion of this one elicits a gasp. But give it a chance. Not only will you feel more connected to your loved ones, you’ll also feel more peaceful at the end of the meal without the din of the TV as background noise. |
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| Strike up a conversation in an elevator |
| Small talk stimulates brain function and fosters a sense of well-being. Talk up the weather or compliment someone’s shoes. Go ahead, put yourself out there. |
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The human connection:
How it works at Swedish
Covenant Hospital |
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| Human interaction is a critical part of our healing philosophy. We come at it from two angles: services we offer and ways we can help patients include their loved ones in their care. |
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| Massage therapy |
We believe that human touch is an essential part of caring for people. Massage therapy is a proven way to help the body heal, by increasing blood flow and boosting the functioning of your immune system. We offer free massage therapy to our in and outpatients.
Learn more about massage therapy |
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| CarePartners |
Through our CarePartners program, designated family members take part in their loved one’s treatment, participating in all discussions with physicians and nursing staff.
Learn more about CarePartners |
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| Patient Pals |
Volunteers spend time with patients and bring meals, plants, and get-well cards from local grade-school children.
Learn more about Patient Pals |
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| CarePages® |
Staying in touch with loved ones during a health issue is an important part of the healing process. Through CarePages, our patients can create their own free, personalized website where they can post and receive messages and photos. Patients can continue to use their website long after they leave the hospital.
Learn more about CarePages® |
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| Interpreters |
Effective communication is fundamental to the healthcare experience. Their full-time interpreters on staff provide helpful translation in Spanish, Korean, and Russian.
Learn more about our healing environment |
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Win healing spa services |
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Show or tell what makes you feel better and you're automatically entered to win. |
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Check out local music |
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Science shows light tunes can lower anxiety and your heart rate. |
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