Individual guideline

Make social connection a priority throughout your life

Social connection is a basic human need for people of all ages, but meeting your social needs often requires time, effort, and intentionality.

  • Be thoughtful and aware of how much and what types of social connection you're getting and whether you’re getting enough social connection.
  • While recognizing that relationships are not always easy, strive to pursue meaningful, satisfying, and positive connections with others.
Frineds hanging out on fieldFriends sitting on couchCouple dancing

Rationale

Given the established importance of social connection and the harms of loneliness and social isolation, we must make social connection a priority in our lives. In the fast-paced and often disconnected world we live in, meeting our social needs often requires conscious effort and intention—particularly when we live in physical and social environments where these needs are not routinely met. This is why all of us need to actively engage in social activities, strive to cultivate meaningful relationships with those we know, and work with others to build a supportive social environment. This proactive approach not only enhances individual health outcomes but also enriches community wellbeing, creating a ripple effect that strengthens society as a whole. Research has consistently shown that social connection improves mental health, fosters resilience, and contributes to physical health by lowering risks of conditions like heart disease, depression, and cognitive decline. Conversely, loneliness and isolation are linked to significant health risks comparable to smoking and obesity, emphasizing why social connection should be treated as essential to our health.

Prioritizing social connection means regularly checking in with ourselves to ensure we’re receiving the quality and types of social interactions we need. Social needs can look different for everyone, and it is vital to reflect on the types and frequency of connections that fulfill us personally. It also means being open to fostering deeper connections by dedicating time and energy to activities that bring people together, whether through family gatherings, shared hobbies, or community groups. Recognizing that these needs may evolve over time, we must be flexible and intentional in adapting how we connect, continually seeking ways to maintain our social wellbeing through both familiar and new social pathways.

For those responsible for the health and development of others, such as parents, guardians, teachers, and caregivers, it’s essential to be aware of the social needs of those in our care. Beyond supporting our own wellbeing, prioritizing social connection fosters a nurturing environment for children, young people, and adults who may rely on us to guide them in developing their own social skills and connections. Striving to cultivate positive, satisfying, and meaningful connections supports our wellbeing and the wellbeing of others, fostering environments where everyone can experience a sense of belonging, support, and inclusion. When we collectively commit to valuing and nurturing social connection, we create communities where everyone can thrive—making social health an integral part of public health.

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Related Evidence Briefs

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Case Studies

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Supporting Research

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Additional considerations

Loneliness is the emotional distress and dissatisfaction that arises from not having the social connections one desires; it is distinct from social isolation, which refers to an objective lack of contact with other people. Like hunger and thirst, loneliness can be thought of as a fundamental human drive, serving as a signal that motivates us to seek out social interactions. When our social needs are unmet, significant health consequences occur. The body's nervous system may shift into a state of dysregulation, activating the fight-or-flight response. This heightened state of alertness, known as social vigilance, makes individuals overly sensitive to social threats and cues. As a result, the chronic stress from sustained social vigilance activates the body's cortisol and stress reactivity systems. Elevated cortisol levels, in the long term, disrupt our normal bodily functions, leading to a cascade of health problems. Those include impaired immune function, increased risk of heart disease, and deterioration of mental health. In sum, there is strong evidence that loneliness and social isolation are health risks.

Illustrating the risks of loneliness and social isolation, studies show that individuals who are lonely or isolated experience profound health consequences. In fact, the quality of our connections with others appears to have a stronger impact on our health than living an inactive lifestyle or being obese. Some estimates even suggest that a poor social life is equivalent to smoking. As such, we should prioritize our relationships to the same extent we do our diet and exercise routines. Indeed, humans are social beings – meaning social connection is a fundamental prerequisite for our healthy functioning.

Additional resources