Most people recognize that the Y’s fitness classes and sports programs promote healthy habits and physical activity, which is shown to improve cardiovascular health and reduce the risk of chronic disease.

Those who participate in our programs also know there’s something more to be gained than just physical fitness: the opportunity to build deep connections with one another and create life-long friendships.

Research is proving that social relationships are vitally important to our health. The presence of friends can keep anxiety, depression and isolation at bay.

This past July, I attended the YMCA’s national gathering, the General Assembly. One of our keynote speakers was Dr. Vivek H. Murthy, Surgeon General of the United States. Dr. Murthy spoke about the epidemic of loneliness and isolation, and the healing effects of social connection and community. He further advised that people with poor social relationships have a greater risk of stroke and heart disease. In other words, loneliness and isolation are jeopardizing our potential to live longer, healthier lives.

The good news is that we know social connection can significantly improve the health and well-being of individuals, of all ages. This is important to note, because loneliness affects the young and old. Screens and social media are ever present in our lives, impeding our ability to form meaningful relationships.

Social connection is woven into everything we do at the Marshalltown YMCA-YWCA–whether that’s teaching life skills to youth in our summer camps, helping people achieve their best physical health, supporting our staff, or helping newcomer immigrants access services. The YMCA has always been an organization that promotes healthy spirit, mind and body.

More good news — the Y isn’t doing this work alone. Many organizations know that social connection is vital to the health and success of our community as a whole and are working together to achieve this goal. If you’d like to get involved or learn more, please reach out to us and we’ll get you connected. You can call us at 641-752-8658 or visit www.ymca-ywca.org. Better yet, stop by in person!

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Kim Jass-Ramirez is CEO of the Marshalltown YMCA-YWCA.