A lack of social connection has major effects on Americans’ mental and physical health. U.S. Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy, M.D., released an advisory on the epidemic of loneliness and isolation in 2023, sounding the alarm that our relationships are as important to our health as physical activity, diet and sleep.
The report underscores that being lonely or socially isolated is a health threat that rivals smoking — estimating it to be the health equivalent of smoking 15 cigarettes a day — and increases people’s risk for many serious illnesses, including depression, obesity, cardiovascular disease and dementia.
Social isolation versus loneliness
While social isolation and loneliness are different, they are related. Social isolation is having very few people you call, text or visit — people you can depend on or consider real friends. Loneliness is more about your feelings — your perception of being alone and isolated.
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In other words: You can live alone and not feel lonely or socially isolated, and you can feel lonely while being with other people.
What isolates us from others?
Think of your own connections — what if you moved or changed jobs or lost your job or retired? Would you be able to maintain your social ties?
Research shows many factors contribute to the rise of Americans’ social isolation, including:
Spending less time with friends and family.
Losing friends when they pass away.
Having caregiving responsibilities.
Experiencing a traumatic event or receiving a serious illness diagnosis.
Scrolling endlessly on social media, rather than engaging.
Volunteering less often than people did a generation ago.
Living farther away from their families.
Having fewer children.
Marrying later in life or not at all.
Retiring and losing contact with former colleagues and friends.
How to build relationships and make connections
To foster a sense of belonging, meaning and purpose, make time to invest in nurturing your relationships through frequent and enjoyable quality time with others. Here’s how.
Tap into your interests: You’ll meet people with similar interests through classes, activities and hobbies, while finding an enjoyable way to spend time.
Schedule time for family and friends: Add time to your calendar every day to get in touch with people, either by a phone call, email, text or social media. Sending letters or cards also counts.
Adopt a pet: If you’re able to care for a four-legged friend, having an animal at home — especially if you take it on walks in the park — can help counter social isolation.
Move more: Joining group exercise sessions, like a walking club or fitness classes at a gym, provides accountability and increases the quality of time you spend with others.
Meet your neighbors: If you don’t know your neighbors, introduce yourself.
Check out the library: You’ll find more than the latest blockbusters at the library. Your local library offers everything from book clubs and author readings to technology seminars and art classes.
Serve others or join a cause: Many organizations need your gift of time, and volunteering is a great way to meet like-minded people.Â
