Why Facebook Works may seem like a strange topic on this health blog and podcast, but it isn’t. So many people reach out from their sick beds to touch another human being. Many feel alone, unappreciated and unloved. I figure the answer as to why Facebook works is tied up in all of these emotions, plus an old Swedish proverb that I heard today…

A shared joy is a double joy, but shared sorrow is only half a sorrow.

Makes sense, doesn’t it? So many times people with Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, ME, RA, osteoarthritis, Lupus, chronic Lyme, cancer, heart problems and other health problems get on Facebook to communicate, touch someone else’s life. The purpose? To not feel as alone. They may reach out in victory because they’ve figured out how to conquer a life or health problem -or- it may be because they want to commiserate and get another person’s thoughts on something that feels (to them) as catastrophic, dangerous or overwhelmingly sad.

Let’s face it. On good days, we want to celebrate and tell the world of our victory. On bad days, we want to feel the proverbial arm around our shoulder or hear a word of cheer before we crawl into a hole with only our tapping fingers remaining semi-functional.

This is the major reason why Facebook works as it gives us a mechanism to touch people we never would have known otherwise. Total strangers can add words of encouragement to each other. Sometimes this is a quicker “fix” than reaching out to family or local friends. The people who know us best are often tempted to add in their words of “I told you so” or “didn’t you think there would be a price to pay for your actions?” Sometimes it’s merely a disapproving, look-down-your-nose stare accompanied by a half hug.

The way-to-gos, congratulations, I’m here 4 U messages are quicker, a good bit sweeter and surely less complicated. The only exception to that is when people who think they know better disparage your attitude, remarks or actions. That happens, but hopefully not as much as receiving the cheer.

Today, I encourage you to make a point of sending or sharing this blog and podcast message with either someone you love or someone who needs to reform their ways.

Thanks so much. All shares and comments are greatly appreciated!

Cinda Crawford, your Facebook friend -and-

Host of the Health Matters Show