Humans are social creatures by nature, and relationships with family, friends, coworkers and community members are important to our overall well-being. Regular contact and meaningful interactions with others help us build relationships and feel valued, cared for and loved across every stage of life.
What are the Physical Benefits of Social Connection?
Staying connected to those around you or your community not only has positive emotional effects, but physical benefits as well. These include:
- Lower blood pressure and cholesterol
- A stronger immune system
- Decreased inflammation
- Decreased anxiety and depression
- Increased self-esteem
- Improved quality of sleep
Social connection can also help reduce the risk of chronic diseases and serious illnesses such as heart disease, stroke and dementia. Because of this, people who have high-quality relationships tend to stay healthier and live longer.
How Can I Strengthen My Social Connections?
Increasing healthy, positive social connections is just as important in a healthy lifestyle as building a workout routine. Small, meaningful moments with others can help build positive social connections. Below are some tips on how to strengthen social connections you already have or build new ones.
- Start by making small efforts. If making plans or expanding your social connections is challenging for you, start by doing one thing a week to build connections. This can look as simple as going on a walk and smiling at people you pass by or chatting with a friend on the phone.
- Focus on the quality of your connections. You don’t need to make plans with lots of people or spend lots of time at large gatherings. Having strong, positive relationships with a small group of people is more important than the number of people you spend time with.
- Create a routine for social interaction. Schedule a monthly coffee chat with a friend once a month or plan a monthly phone call with a friend you don’t see often.
- Reduce screen time and prioritize face-to-face interactions.
- Develop new hobbies and find groups to join. If you enjoy reading, find or start a book club in your community or with a group of friends.
- Attend a local event or volunteer for a cause in your community that you care about. Through these, you can create connections with people who share similar interests.
- Keep an open mind to new experiences. Try saying yes to a new adventure or an invite to an event.
If you’re feeling lonely or isolated, you’re not alone. Talk to someone close to you about how you feel. You may find that others share similar experiences, creating opportunities to connect with and support one another. If you don’t feel you have a family member or friend you can talk to about these feelings, consider reaching out to a behavioral health provider. They can help you work through these feelings and explore ways to build meaningful connections.
Social connections are not only beneficial for your health, but they also bring people together and help create a stronger, more supportive community. Making time for social connections is good for your well-being and the well-being of those you spend time with. Even small moments of connection can make a meaningful difference.
Learn more:
Social Connection | Social Connection | CDC
How Social Connections Benefit Healthy Living | Society of Behavioral Medicine (SBM)
