Social connection is significant for health. People with stronger social ties consistently show better mood, immune function, and reduced health risk factors.

When you’re not feeling well — physically, mentally, or emotionally — pulling back can feel like the most natural thing in the world. Less stimulation. Fewer commitments. More space to rest and recover.

And in the short term, that response makes a lot of sense.

But when health challenges linger, that same instinct to withdraw can slowly turn into isolation — not because you’ve done anything wrong, but because your body is doing what it thinks is protective.

Recent research, including a major World Health Organization report, reminds us just how important social connection is to our health. Meaningful connection is linked to better mental wellbeing, stronger immune function, and even a lower risk of early death — with prolonged isolation carrying risks comparable to smoking.

If you’re living with Long COVID, chronic Lyme disease, ME/CFS, or another chronic condition, connection can feel especially hard. Worries about energy, overstimulation, brain fog, or crashing afterward are very real. Many people find themselves wondering: How do I stay connected when I don’t feel well enough to show up the way I used to?

In this week’s blog, I explore:

• Why pulling back during illness is a normal biological response

• How “sickness behavior” helps in the short term — but can slow recovery if it persists

• Why social connection matters more than we often realize

• And how small, manageable interactions can support healing without overwhelming your system

The takeaway isn’t to push harder or do more. It’s to start small. A five-minute phone call. A quiet walk with one trusted person. A brief moment of connection that feels safe, supportive, and meaningful.

You don’t have to do it all. You just have to take the next small step. Read the full blog here: 
When Pulling Back Makes Sense — and When It Starts to Hold Us Back 

Warmly,
Katie