My cousin Charles and his family came up to the cottage this past weekend. It was nice to see them. I can’t remember the last time we all got together. There was a time though when I saw Charles on a regular basis, but that’s not the case any more.

Growing up, I saw my relatives all the time. Every week we paid a visit to someone’s house and it wasn’t just on weekends. You didn’t need to call in advance – just hop in the car and go. We’d visit my grandparents or go over to an uncle and aunt’s house. I saw my cousins all the time. It was the way of life back then.

Today, it’s a different story. Everyone has their own family now and everyone is busy. Face-to-face social interactions are virtually gone. Even phone calls seem to be extinct. Now we interact via text or social media. Unless it’s a wedding, funeral or the odd social event, you rarely see extended family any more. Believe it or not, that can lead to suboptimal health.

Our primary source of nutrition comes from the food we eat, but there are other sources that you may not have thought of, like sunshine, sleep and social interaction. Yes, we’re actually “nourished” by each other’s company. There’s no better example of that than the story of Roseto, Pennsylvania:

Take-Home Message: If you’re deficient in “real life” social interaction, then make it a priority to unplug and reconnect with family and friends.