A survey conducted by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine suggests that 1 in 3 US adults over 45 feel lonely, despite our ability to reach someone with the click of a button. Social isolation can be harmful to our health, increasing the risk of heart disease, depression, and mental decline. However, people supported by meaningful human connections tend to sleep better, experience less stress, maintain healthy habits, and have a better quality of life. Fortunately, there is a lot we can do to decrease loneliness while improving our overall health.
The CDC provides some useful tips for maintaining healthy social connections and better health:
Take time to nurture your existing relationships
Create new connections by joining a club or taking a class at your local library
Invite a friend to join you for a walk, a meal, or start a new activity together
Provide support to others in whatever ways you can
Reduce or limit your social media use; call a friend instead