Quite a little thing that has been silently shaping and affecting our lives, our health, and the length of our lives, is social connection. No doubt, it’s not solely about texting friends or calling family when you find yourself in a crisis with your car. Social connection is resurfacing as one of the strongest predictors of mental and physical health, almost equaling the effect of diet, exercise, and even quitting smoking.
Governments and health organizations worldwide are gradually grasping this fact. In January, a pilot statement from the US, Japan, Morocco, Sweden, Kenya, and Chile declared this in very simple words: “the necessity of social connection for the health and well-being of individuals, communities, and societies” is now a global priority.
Though, why is social connection so essential? The proof is piling up. A person with no meaningful connections to live alone, with few friends, and in solitude is exposed to a higher risk of depression, anxiety, dementia, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and even early death. The figures are unbelievable: social isolation may almost increase the risk of coronary heart disease by a third, and loneliness doubles the chances of developing depression. And it’s not only about feeling sad; these consequences extend to different parts of our body, increasing blood pressure, weakening our immune system, and even affecting how we respond to vaccines.
What’s interesting is that science reveals these relationships as two-way streets. Loneliness leads to depression, while depression causes more loneliness. Bad physical health creates difficulties in socializing; thus, health decline continues – a vicious cycle that is almost impossible to break.
We are observing some alarming patterns worldwide. Loneliness is increasing, and social connections are decreasing. According to the Gallup Global State of Connection survey, nearly 25% of people across the globe feel “very lonely” or “fairly lonely.” In a few parts of the world, this proportion is even higher. And the issue is not just concentrated in Western areas, as loneliness is also prevalent in Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia. Research from the American Time Use Survey points out that Americans are more and more isolated from each other as they spend less time with their families, friends, and communities, and more time alone.
So, what causes this? Modernization, economic inequality, digital technology, and changes in work and living styles all have a part to play. The COVID-19 pandemic has had an accelerated effect on these trends, as it has forced millions into isolation and altered our way of interacting with each other – sometimes permanently. Remote work, streaming entertainment, and contactless services are convenient, but they can also make it easier to fall back into old habits of solitude.
The relationships between social connection and health are not so straightforward. It is not just about how many friends you have. The structure (how many relationships), function (the support those relationships provide), and quality (how caring and compassionate they are) all matter. Positive relationships of good quality are a form of protection, whereas negative or stressful relationships can be a source of harm. Moreover, loneliness is different from social isolation in that the former is a subjective feeling, whereas the latter is an objective reality. Both are at risk, but they affect mental and physical health differently.
Even with all the evidence, the level of awareness among the public is still quite low. Most people still greatly underestimate how much social connection matters for health. When asked to rank factors for a long life, social connection is often rated lower than exercise or not smoking, even though its impact is just as great.
Then, what can we do about it? The good news is that even the smallest actions do matter. We can make a difference in our relationships by simply connecting with a friend, joining a club, volunteering, or just checking in on someone. Interventions such as social support groups, technology-based connections, and community activities are associated with success in diminishing loneliness and enhancing health outcomes. In clinical settings, the inclusion of psychosocial support with medical treatment can significantly improve patients’ survival rates with serious diseases.
However, there are some limitations. We need a language that allows us to talk about social connection in a clear and easy way, better methods for measuring it, and more thorough research to find out what interventions are most effective. Most of the programs are designed for individuals, but we need broad approaches, such as prosocial policies and community initiatives, to bring about a change at the societal level.
Thinking about the future, the stakes are really high. If the present trends continue, we will probably witness the deterioration of mental and physical health over multiple generations. It will be the combination of consequences from the pandemic and fast technological changes that will, most likely, push people further into isolation unless we deliberately take measures to encourage interaction.
One thing the message is absolutely clear on is that social connection is not a mere luxury. Rather, it constitutes one of the most important things in life for health, happiness, and longevity. Relationships with others are one of the most powerful assets you have, regardless of whether you are going through stress, dealing with a chronic illness, or just looking for more meaning in life.