THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNITY SUPPORT - AND WHY IT MATTERS TO YOUR HEALTH

From a very simple friendship group to a community of people worldwide, support systems are an integral part of being a person.
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Studies show that social support actually improves health qualities in an individual.

Imagine that.

Our interaction with others directly impacts our health and well-being.

Researchers Wiseman and Brasher in the public health industry define community wellbeing as, “...the combination of social, economic, environmental, cultural, and political conditions identified by individuals and their communities as essential for them to flourish and fulfill their potential,” emphasizing “connectedness, livability, and equity” as the three main factors to measure.

As humans, we are wired for interaction by connecting with one another, living well, and producing for the next generation.

Now is the time where (of course!) we talk about how each individual values personal time to recharge, and how some people don’t like a lot of interaction - or even prefer being alone rather than with other people. That’s okay. I’m sure the interaction they have while out in public, on the phone with their close friend or family member, or even in a workplace setting, functions just as well.

Regardless, that’s not exactly the intention of this post. Rather we need to explore communities as a whole - on a broader level instead of on an individual one.

Abraham Maslow, the esteemed human behavioral psychologist, lists friendships and personal relationships just after food/water and personal safety. So after finishing supper and you’re lounging on the couch - do you text a friend?

Aside from the general well-being of people around the world, there are many different sub-communities that also support specific types of individuals - not according to location.

Women everywhere are in need of support in a multitude of ways. From guidance while being young, encouragement as a young adult, to advice when making life choices, or even providing their own ways to support women - many are still in need.

​EVEN MORE GRANULAR

For our women artists and creative types, the need for expression is always pressing.

However, most communities lack proper exposure, funding, other same-types, a place to call home for art produced, or any combination of these.

That’s exactly why it’s important to have these institutions work with women at the bedrock of a community. The arts hold culture, value, and enrichment for the surrounding general community and various sub-communities, too.

Allowing for multidisciplinary and communal enrichment, artists are free to incubate new ideas and execute them in a sound environment filled with other creatives.

Music, art, dance, theatre - all require a space and people to do so.

​WITH THE CORRECT APPROACH

From a national perspective,
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“The National Endowment for the Arts is committed to providing assistance to artist communities for projects that encourage and nurture the development of individual artists and foster and inspire their creative processes.”

​Trickling down from the NEA are each region, state, county, city, and even neighborhood - all providing ways to help if not also serve as communities for artists and artistic expression.

​A PERFECT CULMINATION

Lady BOS Productions is an artistic support system for female and femme-identifying dancers. Being a part of a production like ...that’s what she said not only enriches the creating artists, but also your local community of patrons.

Help us celebrate the culmination of this production.

Show support for this arts-centric, dance-expressive, femme-tailored community program (You may just live a little longer, too.)

Learn more about LadyBos Productions and how you can be a part of this community, and if you can, please donate to help support the company’s work.

WRITTEN BY: VICTORIA NUNWEILER

Published April 5, 2019