Why Networking in Nashville May Improve Your Health

One of the benefits of Chamber membership is access to exclusive networking opportunities. We host and facilitate some of the best networking events in our region. 

While the professional benefits of networking are clear to many people, the unseen personal benefits may not be as easily recognized.

In fact, networking is beneficial beyond just professional connections.

One of the social determinants of health identified in our 2017 Vital Signs Report is community belonging. Also known as social capital, this term refers to a person having strong personal relationships with others. As defined by the CDC, community belonging also refers to the “time and energy that is available for such things as community improvement, social networking, civic engagement, personal recreation and other activities that create social bonds between individuals and groups.”

So how does making the time to engage with your community and expand your personal network affect your health?

In a study for the Canadian research publication Health Reports, Margot Shields writes: “People who are socially isolated and have few ties to other individuals are more likely to suffer from poor physical and mental health and are more likely to die prematurely.” In other words, people with strong senses of community belonging are more likely to have better health outcomes than people with weak community bonds.

Our mission is to create economic development by facilitating community involvement. We vow to make our members feel like they belong in our region, engage with important issues, lead the charge to improve our community and prosper as these efforts improve the economic climate of Middle Tennessee.

One easy way to build a sense of community belonging is to attend our networking events around the Nashville region.

If you are already a Chamber member, you can find ways to get involved in our programs and initiatives here.

If you’d like to begin reaping the benefits of Chamber membership, you can learn more about our membership options and get started here.