The Rabbit Effect - Book Insights
Oct 02, 2025In the realm of American medicine, a prevailing belief persists: that biology alone holds the key to understanding illness. Or stated another way, our DNA predicts our physical outcome, such as length of life, quality of life, illnesses, etc. In 1977, Dr. Engle challenged this belief stating that he believed that in fact, 80 to 90 percent of a person’s individual health outcomes come from the environment around us, especially social relationships. Social relationships include our relationships with family members, co-workers and people in our community.
In Kelli Harding's book "The Rabbit Effect," she emphasizes the interconnectedness of biological, psychological, and social factors in shaping our health and well-being. She states, “What we are missing in medicine is that health extends far beyond the body alone and includes our social world." Research included in Harding's book shows the transformative power of positive relationships on health and happiness. She states, “Our intimate, one-on-one bonds are the most important critical factor in our health.” Mother Teresa was correct when she stated, "If you want to change the world, go home and love your family.
“Social ties are a critical hidden factor of health, yet we often pay more attention to our diet and devices than to our communities”. One of the greatest health risks is loneliness. This health risk has been found to be higher than obesity, physical inactivity, high blood pressure and bad cholesterol. One study revealed that loneliness is equivalent to smoking fifteen cigarettes a day or heavy alcohol use.
If loneliness is deadly to our health, then companionship or friendship is more precious than gold. Kelli Harding states, "Our social ties buffer us physically and mentally…Better social support improves sleep quality, which improves cognitive functioning and mood. Good relationships reduce blood pressure, inflammation, and the fight-or-flight hormones epinephrine and cortisol. Supportive relationships also increase oxytocin, the "love hormone," and endogenous opioids, reducing pain.” He encourages us to take socializing as seriously as diet, exercise and sleep, because in fact it will have an effect on our physical health.
Kelli Harding reminds us that we hold the power to shape our own outcomes. Every daily choice either nurtures our well-being or adds to our stress, directly influencing our physical health. She encourages us to make kind, life-giving choices that support emotional balance, reduce stress, and may even prevent or delay the onset of disease.
I challenge you to make time for the important relationships in your life. Your time with others will impact your health in a positive way.
Kelly Summers , M.H.
