It Takes a Village: Community and Mental Health
by Peyton Rondeau, Registered Dietitian and Health Education Lifestyle Coach
The agricultural tradition of planting corn, beans, and squash together is known as the “Three Sisters.” Commonly called “companion planting,” the Three Sisters support one another with their individual strengths. Corn provides a natural trellis for beans to climb; beans act as nitrogen fixers that nourish the soil; and squash spreads low, shading the earth to prevent excessive water loss.
The Three Sisters offer more than just gardening advice; they reflect truths about life. While there can be strength and good in isolation, strength flourishes and the whole community becomes greater than its parts when its members uplift and support each other instead of just themselves.
The Benefits of Community
Humans are deeply social creatures whose wellbeing is closely tied to connection. A single positive social interaction can boost oxytocin, a hormone associated with bonding and trust, while lowering cortisol, the primary stress hormone. We are designed to thrive among others.
Similar to the Three Sisters, the people in our communities provide stability, replenishment, and protection. The saying “it takes a village” pays deep respect to the lightening of the load when shared by many hands. Within our communities are those who help with childcare or transportation; some offer wisdom and guidance for the many journeys we walk; others provide emotional support, offering empathy and a listening ear for our sorrows. While the burden of isolation places these weights solely on our own shoulders, the gift of community allows us to thrive under a lighter load.
Corn, beans, and squash grown together produce a more bountiful harvest than they ever could alone. Likewise, human strength flourishes when rooted in social connectedness and the diverse contributions we all bring to the table.
This article comes to you from Cow Creek Health and Wellness Center Dietetics and Healthy Living Team. Please reach out to our Lifestyle Coaches for ways to learn more about the power of food as medicine. (541) 672-8533, option #2
