Why is social interaction important

Throughout your life, the number and strength of your relationships affect your mental and physical wellbeing.

The benefits of social connections and good mental health are numerous. Proven links include lower rates of anxiety and depression, higher self-esteem, greater empathy, and more trusting and cooperative relationships. Strong, healthy relationships can also help to strengthen your immune system, help you recover from disease, and may even lengthen your life.

The good news is that while many of these benefits can make you happier and more contented, there’s also a flow-on effect, whereby people around you will want to spend time with you. In this way, social connectedness generates a positive feedback loop of social, emotional and physical wellbeing.

Impact of loneliness on health

Loneliness can have dramatic consequences for your health. Loneliness can lead to disrupted sleep patterns, elevated blood pressure, and increased cortisol (a stress hormone). It can affect your immune system and decrease your overall sense of contentment. Loneliness is also a risk factor for antisocial behaviour, depression and suicide.

Older people are particularly vulnerable. If your mobility decreases, it can be harder to get together with other people. However, older people who remain connected with others and have strong relationships are likely to:

• have a better quality of life
• be more satisfied with their life
• have a lower risk of dementia and mental decline
• need less domestic support.

Younger people (teenagers and people in their 20s) are also at risk when they are isolated. A lack of social relationships can have a direct impact on a young person’s physical wellbeing by increasing the risk of obesity, inflammation and high blood pressure.

These 3 health issues can lead to long-term health problems, including heart disease, stroke and cancer, but a varied social network can help protect against physical decline.

What’s more, the benefits of social ties are significant, even if your other mortality risk factors (such as socioeconomic status, smoking, drinking, obesity and lack of physical activity) are low. In other words, even if you live a healthy life, you still need to be socially active to stay well and happy.

It’s important to recognise that loneliness is different from solitude. Feeling lonely is a problem, but being alone may not be a problem at all. Many people live alone and have happy, fulfilling lives.

How to improve your social connections

Feeling lonely is hard to cope with. Luckily, there are things you can do to tackle loneliness. For instance, you can nurture healthy relationships with people who make you feel good by spending time with them, and by trying to talk to someone every day.

There are 3 kinds of connections that you can have with people:

1. intimate connections – with people who love and care for you, such as family and friends
2. relational connections – with people who you see regularly and share an interest with, such as workmates or those who serve your morning coffee
3. collective connections – with people who share a group membership or an affiliation with you, such as people who vote like you do, or people who have the same faith.

Ask yourself: do you have meaningful, long-term relationships in all these 3 areas?

Perhaps you tend to stick with old friends and don’t feel able to meet new people. Or maybe you avoid people from your past, preferring to mix with people who don’t know much about you. Be honest with yourself about your social habits.

Think about the sorts of relationships you have with people, and the sorts of relationships you would like to have. You might find you want to make new friendships, or perhaps you want to try to make your existing relationships stronger.

One way to strengthen your social connections is to reach out to the people you already know, such as co-workers, family, school friends or neighbours. Give someone a call, or write or email them and let them know you would like to be in touch more often. Arrange to have a coffee or a meal, or to listen to music, have a round of golf or play chess. Think about the interests you share. Facebook and other social media are also great ways to stay in touch.

How to meet new people

There are lots of ways to meet new people . Start a conversation with some of the people you see every day, such as the people on your bus each morning, people at the gym or the park, or the regular checkout operators at your supermarket. (Just remember to make sure that you are safe when meeting new people. Having other people around – for example, meeting in a public place – can be a good strategy.)

Other ideas include joining a sports team or a walking or hobby group, or volunteering. Call your local council to find out about local groups or programs, or visit your local community centre or library – there’s always something happening in your community.

Not all strategies will work for everyone, so try some different approaches to see what works for you. If the first thing you try doesn’t work out, try something different. Beyond Blue’s Connections matter booklet has some useful ideas for older people.

The idea of social connection is to share your time, experiences and stories with people, and to also listen to them. Gradually, you will build a group of people in your life who care about you, and who you also care about. Both your mind and body will reap the rewards.

Relationships help society too

Social ties affect not only your personal health, but also extend to broader society.

People who spend more time with each other forge happy, productive communities.

Where to get help

Many of us threw caution to the wind and filled our holidays with family and friends - enjoying good conversation, exchanging hugs, ideas, and kind words of love and support. An invigorating and much needed dose of human interaction after nearly a year of oppressive social restrictions caused by COVID-19. But, sadly, the COVID virus did not vanish with the dawning of a new year and we are advised to settle back into our “new normal” routine of mask wearing, social distancing, quarantining, etc.

It seems like a good time to talk about the importance of staying connected and nurturing our social relationships, even during the COVID pandemic …. Scratch that… ESPECIALLY during the COVID pandemic!

Why are social relationships important?

Human beings are inherently social, as are most animals. It is the way of nature. Heck, even ants exhibit social behaviors! Though, as humans, our social relationships are much more complex and fulfilling. They provide us with a sense of connection, purpose, support and, ultimately, overall better health and longevity.

Dozens of studies have shown that people who have fulfilling relationships with family, friends and community members are happier, have fewer health problems, and live longer.

Scientists have found that connecting with others helps relieve harmful levels of stress. As most of us are aware, chronic stress  can be detrimental to your mental and physical health, and contribute to many serious health problems. Some research even suggests that the act of caring for another person can release stress-reducing hormones for both the giver and receiver.

The alleviation of stress is not the only health benefit to come from having strong social connections.  We also learn healthy habits that help us to better care for ourselves, from others. Then of course, there is the obvious… when you are in a nurturing relationship, both parties tend to vest in each other’s health and well-being, as well as their own, because they want to stick around for each other.

Unfortunately, about a third of Americans lack these strong social relationships and, in turn, are putting their health at significant risk.

“Lacking social connection carries a risk that is comparable, and in many cases, exceeds that of other well-accepted risk factors, including smoking up to 15 cigarettes per day, obesity, physical inactivity, and air pollution.” - Julianne Holt-Lunstad, PhD, professor of psychology at Brigham Young University

What are the health risks for people lacking strong social relationships?

It has been well established that prolonged social isolation, even in healthy, well-functioning individuals, will eventually result in psychological and physical disintegration, and even death. [1]

People without strong quality social relationships are at a much higher risk for:[2]

• Depression and anxiety
• Elevated levels of stress and inflammation, which can adversely affect coronary arteries, gut function, insulin regulation, and the immune system
• A wide range of diseases, including cardiovascular disease and cancer[3]
• Cognitive and functional decline, including dementia
• Decreased resistance to infection
• Delayed recovery from injury, surgery, illness, etc.
• Premature death (50% increased risk)

“Being connected to others socially is widely considered a fundamental human need — crucial to both well-being and survival. Extreme examples show infants in custodial care who lack human contact fail to thrive and often die, and indeed, social isolation or solitary confinement has been used as a form of punishment,” said Julianne Holt-Lunstad, PhD, professor of psychology at Brigham Young University. “Yet an increasing portion of the U.S. population now experiences isolation regularly.”

Why are so many people experiencing loneliness and lack of social connection?

Social isolation, loneliness, and relationship distress are on the rise. Even before COVID, the United States was experiencing a serious epidemic - a loneliness epidemic.

According to a Loneliness Study by AARP, approximately 42.6 million adults over age 45 in the United States were estimated to be suffering from chronic loneliness. Even more alarming, is that loneliness statistics are eerily similar for teens and young adults, age 18-22.

Some of the suspected factors for the rise in loneliness and social disconnect include:

• The number of adults living alone has nearly doubled over the last 50 years
• The number of single occupancy households worldwide is now greater than ever in recorded history (Euromonitor International, 2014)
• Reduction in marriage rates, smaller household sizes, and increased rates of childlessness (United States Census Bureau, 2011)
• Decreased community involvement, which is reflected by falling rates of volunteerism (U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Statistics, 2016)
• An increasing number of Americans reporting no religious affiliation (Pew Research Center, 2015)
• Decreased need for face-to-face interactions due to technology and social media

How can I build and nurture social relationships?

Now that you aware of the importance of social relationships to your physical and mental health, you may be wondering how you can build a strong social network. Here are some tips:

Start with existing relationships. Nurture relationships you already have by reaching out. It’s as easy as picking up the phone or sending a text, email or card.

Turn your work colleagues into friends. If you have someone at work that you feel you might have a connection with, then don’t be afraid to explore that relationship by engaging in conversation. You already have work in common, so see what else you might have in common.

Look for opportunities to be social. Granted COVID has put a damper on some social opportunities, but there are still opportunities to safely interact with new people, you just have to look for them. If you don’t feel comfortable being around a large group, then take part in activities involving smaller groups.

Join a group. Think of an activity you enjoy and see if there is a local group or club that meets to engage in that activity. If you aren’t ready to engage face to face with strangers, consider joining an online group or community that shares your interests.

Volunteer. Volunteering is a great way to meet people. Plus, volunteering has been proven to elevate mood and reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. Though you may not be able to volunteer at a senior care center or hospital under the current COVID restrictions, you may still be able to volunteer at your local food bank, animal shelter, highway or park clean-up, etc.

Take a class. If you like to learn new things, explore classes being given at your local library, community center, or college outreach. You could even take a yoga class or some other type of exercise class. Taking a class gives you the opportunity to meet other people interested in self-improvement.

Get a pen pal. If you enjoy writing, you can correspond and build rewarding relationships through a pen pal program, such as Soldiers’ Angels, Paper Bridges, and more.

Practice effective communication. Make the most of your social opportunities by practicing effective communication skills. Be approachable – smile, make eye contact and maintain open body language. Draw people into conversation, ask open ended questions, actively listen, and ask follow-up questions. Be empathetic and supportive. Share similar interests, stories, and advice. 

If you have difficulties interacting with others or suffer from a mental health disorder that causes you to self-isolate, please reach out to a mental health professional for help.

Related Articles

Cultivating Mental Health: The Importance of Social Relationships

References

[1] Debra Umberson and Jennifer Karas Montez, 2011, Social Relationships and Health: A Flashpoint for Health Policy, National Center for Biotechnology Information. Jan. 11, 2021. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3150158/

[2] Harvard Women's Health Watch, 2019, The health benefits of strong relationships, Harvard Health Publishing/Harvard Medical School. Jan. 11, 2021. https://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/the-health-benefits-of-strong-relationships

[3] James House, Karl Landis, Debra Umberson, 1988, Social Relationships and Health, The University of Utah. Jan. 11, 2021. http://www.math.utah.edu/~lzhang/teaching/1070spring2012/Daily%20Updates/examples/feb1/Social%20Relationships%20and%20Health.pdf