Social connection

Quality social connection reduces stress and increases happiness, creating memorable lasting experiences and improving life satisfaction as we age.

Complete the habit to experience its positive effects: have at least one interaction a day that gives you a sense of a quality social connection.

What is a quality social connection?

Though a general understanding of a quality social connection is associated with deep conversation, long walks, or traveling together, having a brief or superficial interaction can also bring a feeling of social fulfillment. 

Whichever interaction comes your way, make sure you see the person's face (both - in person or over the screen). The need to see faces comes from the brain area called the fusiform face gyrus.

The fusiform face gyrus is responsible for processing information gathered by scanning faces in our environment. This brain area is also connected to other parts associated with emotionality and well-being. It explains why the sight of a friendly face gives us a feeling of belonging and helps to create a social bond. 

When engaging in social interaction focus on being open and present for another human being. There are no strict guidelines to tell you whether you have a decent social connection, so you have to trust your gut feeling. Notice whether you are left with happiness, gratitude, or joy (among many other positive emotions) after interacting with someone. If you are - well, then it is a good sign! 

Where to look for it?

Any human being could become a source of quality social interaction (e.g., friends, family, coworkers, or even strangers). If somebody was not in your social circle for a while, but their memory also brings memories of happy moments, it is worth checking in and inviting them for a cup of coffee or tea. Even though, in the beginning, the conversation might feel awkward or a bit "off", and there might be a lack of common topics to talk about, once you stay open and genuinely interested in that person, your interactions become more accessible and more unrestricted and mutually rewarding. Over time you will get to know each other better, creating enough space to engage in meaningful conversations and relax in each other's company.

You can also engage in different social activities (e.g., volunteering, joining a local sports or arts community, learning a new skill in an educational class, etc.). Whatever you choose - surround yourself with life-loving and optimistic people that will brighten your days and, in doing so, will keep you happy and healthy.

Impact

Being isolated increases the risk of developing dementia by 50%. Meanwhile, people surrounded by other people were proven less likely to have cardiovascular disease, better cognitive resilience, and enhanced lifespan. 

Being socially healthy is an essential factor when it comes to predicting an individual's health in the future.

Wohltjen, S., & Wheatley, T. (2021). Eye contact marks the rise and fall of shared attention in conversation. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 118(37), e2106645118. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2106645118

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Buettner and Skemp. Blue Zones. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine 2016. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6125071/

Freak-Poli et al. Social isolation, social support and loneliness as predictors of cardiovascular disease incidence and mortality. BMC Geriatrics 2021. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-021-02602-2

Salinas et al. Association of Social Support With Brain Volume and Cognition. JAMA Network Open 2021. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.21122