09/23/2026
Do you live with physical pain?
Then you know having chronic physical symptoms can cause social distress: interpersonal conflict, relationship rifts, job loss, social isolation, loneliness, and more.
But did you know that social pain can trigger or amplify physical pain?
Loneliness and social rejection light up the same areas of the brain as physical pain. It can literally hurt physically to be marginalized, shamed, or discriminated against due to your race, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, class, culture, religion, ability, age, or immigration status.
If you think about it, it makes sense.
Social rejection in early human history was often a death sentence. You needed your tribe to survive. The brain sets off danger signals when you feel socially rejected, which increases the volume dial of physical distress. In the early days, social rejection was a life-or-death threat, and the brain still treats it that way.
But the brain isn’t wrong. We absolutely still need other people to survive.
Here’s the good news:
Just as social distress can increase physical distress, social support, connection, and belonging can decrease physical distress, softening or dampening the physical pain you experience.
Not convinced?
Sign up for a group and find out for yourself! (See what I did there?). My fall Sage Group is now closed, but I am currently taking names for anyone interested in the next group starting in January. I’ll teach my S.A.G.E. approach to chronic symptoms, so you can build the skills you need to live life fully regardless of whatever else is happening. The best part? The groups are capped at 7 people. This enables deep sharing, rich discussions, and meaningful support. You shouldn’t have to wait until you’re “better” to start living again.
We were never meant to do this alone. ♥️
Have you ever experienced a softening in your pain when you felt a real sense of social support, connection, or belonging?
See thesagepractice.com for more.
