When people set out to improve their health, they usually take a familiar path: starting a healthy diet, getting better sleep, and doing regular exercise. Each of these behaviors is important, of course, but they all ___26___ on physical health—and a growing body of research suggests that social health is just as, if not more, important to ___27___ well-being.

One recent study published in the journal PLOS ONE, for example, found that the strength of a person's social circle was a better ___28___ of self-reported stress, happiness and well-being levels than fitness tracker data on physical activity, heart rate and sleep. That finding suggests that the " ___29___ self " represented by endless amounts of health data doesn't tell the whole ___30___.

There's also a qualified self, which is who I am, what are my activities, my social network, and all of these aspects are not ___31___ in any of these measurements.

This idea is supported by plenty of ___32___ research. Studies have shown that social support—whether it comes from friends, family members or a spouse—is ___33___ associated with better mental and physical health. A rich social life, these studies suggest, can lower stress levels, improve mood, encourage positive health behaviors and discourage damaging ones, boost heart health and improve illness ___34___ rates.

Social isolation, meanwhile, is linked to higher rates of physical diseases and mental health conditions. It's a significant problem, ___35___ since loneliness is emerging as a widespread public health problem in many countries.