Social Network Check-In

Pick-a-Pile Tarot Readings + a Substack Exclusive Tarot Spread + Card of the Day

May 17, 2024

Happy Friday, Soul Family! Our pick-a-pile Tarot readings this week have a friendship theme and can help those of us who feel isolated and lonely to form new habits, come out of our shells and start forming a healthy social network. Further down in today’s article, you will find a Friendship Tarot Spread that will help you go deeper for further insights into your needs and how to form a path to life-affirming social connections.

The Wellbeing and Health Implications of Social Networks vs. Loneliness

Social connections, particularly those formed within a circle of friends, play a critical role in influencing our mental and physical health. On the flip side, the state of loneliness can have profound negative effects on our wellbeing. Understanding these impacts can help us prioritise our social interactions for better overall health.

The Power of a Healthy Social Network

A robust social network provides emotional support, reduces stress, and can lead to healthier lifestyle choices. Friends can influence us to exercise more, eat healthier, and engage in activities that stimulate our minds. The benefits reach as far as enhancing our immune system's effectiveness and reducing our risk of chronic diseases.

Longevity Studies: Research has consistently shown that individuals with strong social relationships have a significantly lower risk of premature death. A notable study conducted by Julianne Holt-Lunstad, Ph.D., from Brigham Young University found that individuals with adequate social relationships have a 50% greater likelihood of survival compared to those with poor or insufficient social relationships. The study, which synthesised data from multiple studies involving more than 300,000 participants, highlighted the potential longevity benefits of social connections. Read the study here.

Implications of Loneliness and Isolation

Conversely, loneliness and social isolation can be damaging to both mental and physical health. Loneliness is associated with an increased risk of developing psychiatric disorders like depression, anxiety, and cognitive decline. Physically, it can exacerbate symptoms of chronic disorders, such as cardiovascular problems and autoimmune diseases.

Loneliness doesn’t just affect emotional health; it impacts physical health by influencing stress hormones, sleep patterns, and blood pressure levels. These conditions contribute to a higher mortality rate, similar to high-risk health behaviours like smoking or obesity.

Conclusion: Fostering Social Connections for Health

In conclusion, maintaining a healthy network of friends and engaging actively in social interactions are not just pleasurable activities—they are crucial for our longevity and overall health. Cultivating strong social ties is as important as maintaining a healthy diet and regular physical activity.

In contrast, the impacts of loneliness and social isolation serve as a warning of the significant health risks associated with neglecting our social needs. Therefore, for anyone looking to improve their quality of life and longevity, investing time and energy into building and maintaining social connections should be a priority.

The Friendship Tarot Spread

Building and nurturing social networks are essential for our mental and physical health. This tailored Tarot spread can help you reflect on your current social situation, understand your needs, and find paths to improve your connections and alleviate feelings of loneliness.

Card Positions

Current Social Energy: This card represents your current emotional state regarding your social life. It reveals how you feel about your social interactions or lack thereof.
Challenges in Socialising: What barriers are preventing you from forming or maintaining social connections? This card sheds light on obstacles you might be facing.
What You Seek in Friendships: Understanding what you truly desire in your friendships is crucial. This card will help you articulate your needs and expectations from social relationships.
How to Attract Positive Interactions: This position will reveal the actions you can take or changes you can implement to attract healthy and meaningful social interactions.
What to Let Go: Often, improvement requires release. This card indicates any negative habits, toxic relationships, or misconceptions you should let go to enhance your social wellbeing.
Outcome of Social Efforts: This card predicts the potential future of your social life in the next 3-6 months if you follow the advice and insights gained from the other cards in the spread.

Conducting the Spread

Find a quiet spot and set the intention to open your mind to understand and improve your social connections.
Shuffle your Tarot deck while focusing on your current feelings about your social life.
Lay out the cards in the order mentioned, from one to six.
Reflect on each card and its position, and try to see how the message can be applied to enhance your social relations.
Journal your findings.