Beyond Nutrition and Exercise: The Health Benefits of Connection

There are moments in life that teach you something truly special.

As a coach, Pilates teacher, and wellness guide, following the rules of health extends beyond just eating right or going to the gym. 

We often forget that healthspan is built on all of the lifestyle factors. 

Nutrition 

Exercise

Sleep 

Relaxation 

Relationships 

Most of my days are filled with the first two—nutrition and exercise—thanks to my busy career in Pilates, massage, and nutrition coaching. But I’ve seen firsthand how neglecting sleep, relaxation, and connection can impact our well-being.

This last summer, I focused on relationships—connections with people I consider family, even if we aren’t related by blood or culture.

In August, I took a long-overdue trip to Mexico. Having lived there twice—once in my teens and again in my early 20s—it felt like returning to a part of my own story. I had the joy of introducing my oldest son to some of my favorite places, sharing pieces of my past with him as he begins to carve out his own journey.

Watching his eyes light up, seeing his openness to new experiences, fueled the bonding that builds beyond our daily routines. Joy, connection, and relaxation are just as essential as nutrition and exercise. If we aren’t taking time to relax—whether on vacation or in everyday life—or connecting with others, how can we claim to be genuinely healthy?

Science advances every year—new drugs, trackers, procedures—but these can’t measure joy or connection. And yet, those who prioritize these experiences live more fully. Balance doesn’t mean ignoring science; it means blending knowledge with soul.

Over my 20-plus years as a health and wellness professional, I’ve immersed myself in anatomy, biomechanics, and the latest research. I’ve poured every new insight into my work, driven by curiosity and a desire to help others. But as I’ve grown older, watched my kids mature, witnessed my father pass from a silent cancer, and said goodbye to clients, I’ve returned again and again to the lifestyle pieces that bring peace and ease.

I spend more time nurturing relationships, savoring home-cooked meals, sitting at the table to connect and laugh, and going to bed earlier. I’m slowly learning to fill my days with less—a lesson that’s been surprisingly challenging but incredibly rewarding.

How many more trips will I take with my boys? How many will they still want to take with me? I will keep going. I will keep connecting. One evening in Mexico, sitting on our Airbnb rooftop, I simply stared at the view—nothing on my mind, just gratitude for being present in that moment. The peace of solitude wrapped around me like a warm blanket.  

Even without gym workouts, my Apple Watch showed improvements in heart rate, sleep, and steps during this getaway. Your heart—the most vital organ—serves both as a life-giver and an emotional regulator. When you spend time connecting with loved ones, your heart responds.

Research supports this: a HeartMath-cited review by James Lynch found that loneliness poses a greater risk for heart disease than smoking, obesity, lack of exercise, or excessive alcohol consumption (HeartMath). Spending time with people we feel safe and connected to increases heart rate variability (HRV), a key marker of cardiovascular health and emotional resilience. Higher HRV is linked to better stress regulation, lower inflammation, and reduced risk of heart disease.

So I ask you: how much time do you spend connecting? Does this factor into your health program? If not, how can you start making it a priority?

As my plane rose above the clouds of León, Gto, Mexico—my second home, where my heart and some of my deepest connections lie—I shed tears. I was reminded of how essential it is to reach out, share, love, and nurture the relationships that enrich our lives. Passing this joy and connection on to my oldest son was one of the greatest gifts of all.

I feel alive—and healthier—than I have in years.