Health Quote by Gabor Maté
““Social support helps to ameliorate physiological stress. The close links between health and the social environment have been amply demonstrated. In the Alameda County study, those more socially isolated were more susceptible to illness of many types. In three separate studies of aging people, five-year mortality risks were associated directly with social integration: the more socially connected a person was, the lower their risk of death. “Social ties and support,” a group of researchers concluded, “… remain powerful predictors of morbidity and mortality in their own right, independent of any associations with other risk factors." For the adult, therefore, biological stress regulation depends on a delicate balance between social and relationship security on the one hand, and genuine autonomy on the other. Whatever upsets that balance, whether or not the individual is consciouslyaware of it, is a source of stress.””
About This Quote
Source Book: “In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts” by Gabor Maté, 2008
Social connections are crucial for health, reducing stress and lowering mortality, while isolation increases risk; balance with autonomy is essential.
In simple terms: Social ties protect health; isolation harms it.
Key Takeaway
Foster supportive relationships.
Themes
health
stress
social connection
autonomy
mortality
Mood
empathetic
informative
Type
educational
inspirational
When to use this quote
- workplace
- elder care
- community programs
- personal relationships
Key Concepts
psychology
public health
neuroscience
Questions to Reflect On
- What personal habits can buffer stress when social support is low?
- How can we cultivate autonomy without isolation?
A Different Perspective
The quote may understate individual resilience and coping strategies beyond social ties.
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