Susan Pinker – Physiologist part 1

Susan Pinker argued that social connection is one of the biggest defining factors for life expectancy/health.

 Diet and exercise are important, but there should be an equal if not greater focus on social interaction and connection as a key biological need expressed in a similar way to hunger. 

Hugs and high fives release a flood of hormones (serotonin etc.) that make people feel good, heard, supported. This is an integral part of human health and long-term deprivation can prove detrimental.