The Value of Community in Our Lives: Why It Matters
In a time when many of us spend hours scrolling on social media, it’s easy to mistake digital interactions for real connection, but behind every like and comment, human beings still long for something deeper. Humans are wired for connection, for a sense of belonging, mutual support, and genuine, shared, community values. That’s why the value of community is so important to our wellness.
In my children’s book, Moru’s True Beauty, I tell the story of a peacock who learns that his worth is not in how he looks, but in the love and connections around him. It’s a reminder for children (and adults) that beauty and strength come from being part of something bigger than ourselves. And just as Moru discovered, when we step away from isolation and lean into our core values of togetherness, kindness, and purpose, we begin to see how strong communities shape our lives for the better.
This article explores the value of community for adults and why it matters for mental health, emotional resilience, and even physical health. It is also an offering to consider a gentle shift: swapping endless scrolling for healthy dopamine uplifting activities that create real meaningful connections.
What Is the Definition of Community?
At its simplest, the definition of community is a group of people with common interests, a shared purpose, or a collective identity. Communities can take many forms:
A sports team or sports club
A book club
A group of local businesses supporting one another
Informal groups like parents meeting at the park
Professional development networks in your professional life
Faith groups, volunteer teams, or neighbourhood initiatives
There are many different types of communities, but at their heart, they all provide something human beings need: a strong sense of belonging.
Why Community Matters for Mental Health and Emotional Well-Being
The importance of community goes far beyond companionship. Research shows that community members who feel part of a healthy community experience better mental well-being, lower stress, and even improved health outcomes.
Here’s why:
Emotional support: A strong support network helps us face difficult times and offers encouragement during tough times.
Feelings of isolation: Without a sense of community, people often suffer from loneliness, which directly harms both emotional health and physical health.
Emotional resilience: Belonging to a strong community helps us recover from setbacks and develop coping skills.
Sense of purpose: When we are connected to others through a common goal, we experience greater meaningful relationships and personal growth.
Just as Moru in Moru’s True Beauty learns to value who he is through the eyes of others who care for him, we too are reminded that our well-being is shaped by the mutual respect, mutual trust, and collective action of a caring community.
The Power of Community in Tough Times
One of the main reasons community is essential is its ability to hold us when life feels heavy. A fellow community member can bring good news when we are low. A group of individuals can step in with essential support when a family faces illness, or when young people need guidance.
At a time when headlines and feeds encourage separation, we have the chance to rebuild what matters: mutual support, shared humanity, and belonging. Community is not built on convenience; it’s built on presence, consistency, and care.
So how do we begin? Not with grand gestures, but with small, deliberate choices:
Check in on a fellow community member who might be carrying more than they say.
Show up to local community events, even when it feels easier to stay home.
Choose dialogue over division; listening with curiosity, not just waiting to respond.
Offer your skills through volunteer work or community service, however simple they may seem.
Create spaces - book clubs, walking groups, shared meals - where genuine connection can grow.
Each action might feel like a drop in the ocean, but together they form the tide that turns isolation into belonging.
Why Human Beings Are Social Creatures
Science confirms what wisdom traditions have always known: we are social beings. As human beings, we are wired for social interaction, social relationships, and social cohesion. When we thrive in various communities, we build social capital; the trust, networks, and resources that make society a better place.
And here’s the fascinating part: altruism itself has chemical benefits. When we help a fellow community member, our brains release oxytocin, the “bonding hormone” that deepens trust and connection. Acts of kindness also trigger dopamine, giving us that natural spark of motivation and joy, and endorphins, which ease stress and lift our mood. Even serotonin, the chemical linked to long-term happiness, can be boosted through consistent generosity.
That means giving and receiving within community is not just emotionally rewarding, it’s one of the most powerful healthy dopamine activities available to us. Instead of the quick hit of a scroll, altruism offers a lasting lift, a real, embodied reminder that cooperation is natural, and that mutual care is not only good for society but also good for our health.
Think about a sports team, a book club, or community events like neighbourhood clean-ups. These gatherings aren’t just about entertainment, they are about building strong relationships, creating a sense of togetherness, and reinforcing social norms that keep us accountable to our core values.
The Importance of Community Values
Every community has its own unwritten rules, or community values. These values, like mutual respect, effective communication, and open dialogue, create a strong sense of identity and guide decision-making processes.
When different communities commit to social responsibility and collective action, we see positive change not only in the lives of individuals but across society. Community initiatives, whether run by local community leaders or informal groups, are what make our towns and cities a great place to live.
For a business owner, this might mean supporting other local businesses. For young people, it might look like joining a sports club. For adults navigating the digital world, it might mean creating a circle of like-minded people who choose positive influence over comparison.
Swapping Social Media for Healthy Dopamine Activities
Here’s the truth: our brains are wired to crave belonging. That’s why social media feels like community. Our evolved brains can’t tell the difference between digital likes and genuine presence. But while a scroll or a heart icon gives us a quick chemical spark, it’s a trick. We’re being duped into thinking we’ve met our need for connection, when in reality we walk away emptier, still longing for the real thing.
The good news? We can swap those habits for lasting lifts that create true connection and support our overall health:
Join a book club (yes, even as adults, it’s a great way to make a new best friend).
Take part in community service or volunteer work, giving back while receiving the joy of contribution.
Start a walking group or physical activity club - better for overall health and a wonderful way to build meaningful connections.
Support a local community initiative or community event that aligns with your core values.
Share good news or gather for informal groups like potluck dinners.
These small steps not only boost mental and emotional health, they also strengthen our sense of belonging and reduce feelings of isolation.
This is exactly what Moru teaches us in Moru’s True Beauty: that beauty, joy, and purpose don’t come from standing alone or chasing surface-level validation, they come from living in alignment with your community.
Community as a Path to Personal Development
Beyond support, being part of a community helps us grow. Whether it’s professional life, personal growth, or simply building meaningful relationships, the value of community lies in how it shapes us into better versions of ourselves.
Professional development: Networking and learning from a group of people with shared expertise accelerates growth.
Personal development: Being accountable to a strong community inspires positive change and healthy habits.
Social responsibility: Contributing to the better world we all want to live in.
A sense of community creates collective identity, and when we recognise that our growth is tied to the growth of the entire community, we live with more compassion, empathy, and purpose.
Making the World a Better Place
Imagine what happens when more people rediscover the power of community; social change becomes possible, community initiatives flourish. People step into mutual support, collective action, and a shared purpose.
The positive influence of like-minded people ripples outward, making families, neighbourhoods, workplaces, and nations stronger.
That’s the value of community: it transforms isolation into connection, distraction into purpose, and small steps into a better world.
Final Thoughts: A Small Step Toward a Stronger Community
If you’re feeling the pull to step away from endless distraction and into something more nourishing, start with one small step.
Say yes to a community event.
Volunteer for a local community initiative.
Invite someone new into your circle.
Choose a healthy dopamine activity that builds social interaction.
Because when you do, you’ll discover what Moru did: true beauty, true strength, and true joy come from community.
In choosing community, you don’t just change your own life, you help make the world a better place for us all.
If you want to plant the seeds of belonging for your little ones, start with Moru’s True Beauty - get your copy here. And if you’re ready to deepen that lesson in your own life, explore my Akida Life courses here.