"According to Baumeister and Leary (1995), it's a feeling that is fundamental to attachments, motivation, and well-being. Cohen (2022) defined it as "the feeling that we're part of a larger group that values, respects, and cares for us-and to which we feel we have something to contribute." This feeling of belonging probably arose early on in our human development because it would have given us a feeling of physical safety. We could look out for each other, and there was safety in numbers."
"A prime example of this can be found in the Blue Zones, first reported by Dan Buettner in his book by that name (2008). At the time, there were five Blue Zones in the world where he discovered many individuals living past 100 (since then, several other areas have been added). After extensive research, he went on to describe commonalities in these zones that seemed to contribute to the overall health found in each community."
Belonging is defined as a fundamental feeling tied to attachments, motivation, and well‑being, and as the sense of being part of a group that values and cares for one and offers contribution. The feeling likely evolved to provide physical safety through mutual protection and the benefits of numbers. Individuals reporting strong belonging exhibit fewer chronic diseases, greater longevity, and higher activity levels. Blue Zones demonstrate how social connectedness, time spent with like‑minded people, and membership in tribes or spiritual groups contribute to population health and psychological well‑being. Creating similar health‑promoting belonging outside those zones requires deliberate, strategic efforts.
Read at Psychology Today
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