Social connectedness is a term used to describe the quality and number of connections we have with people in our social circle, family, as well as acquaintances.

And did you know that social connectedness has a positive effect on our health? People who remain actively engaged in life and connected to others are generally happier, in better physical health, and more empowered to cope effectively with change and life transitions.

With our current day technology changing the landscape and focus of our connections, mediums such as Facebook, Instant Messaging (IM) apps and texting, give us the ability to reach out to others in a moment's notice with just the touch of a few keystrokes. The impact and extent of technology will only continue to explode and influence.

Now what to do as a family while at home, in your car, or at a school or sporting event? A shift to focusing on the family is a pretty good approach to take. Not surprisingly, a strong family identity helps children develop a strong and healthy self-identity. Knowing what makes their family unique -- traditions, values, or ways of relating to one another -- gives a clear starting point for discovering their individual place in the world.

And believe it or not, your presence matters. Children regard your presence as a sign of care and connectedness.

A great place to start is breaking bread. Families who eat meals together, play together, and build traditions together thrive. Most experts recommend that your family eats together. Research shows that frequent family dinners (five or more a week), are actually associated with lower rates of smoking, drinking, and illegal drug use in pre-teens and teenagers when compared to families that eat together two or fewer times per week. Sometimes scheduling is a must to make it happen. This not only places value on the family but also on each member within to foster a sense of identity, security, love, and feelings of belonging.

We have a chance each and every day to build traditions and memories that can last a lifetime. And put that phone or laptop away. We're talking about Just One bite at a time -- not one byte at a time!

Lana M. Saal, M.S., Manager of BPS' Employee Wellness Program, holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition, Master of Science degree in Health Education, and is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Educational Leadership. She has over 25 years of health and wellness work-life experience and can be reached at Saal.Lana@BrevardSchools.org.