Despite our access to smartphones and social media, many people feel alone and cut off from others. What happened to society to make us all become so disconnected from each other?

First off, let’s define social wellness. At its most simple, social wellness refers to the healthy and fulfilling social activities you incorporate into your life. It can look like making good friends, nurturing a larger support system, and or opening up to a therapist.

Sadly, in today’s world we often talk to people online or substitute doomscrolling for an active community (it’s okay, we can all be honest here). As a result, many of us are losing touch with deeper connections.

The U.S. Surgeon General shared a 2022 study on the matter [1]. When asked about their emotional connection to other people, just 39% of Americans said they felt ‘very connected to others’. That’s a painfully low percentage that might just get lower over the years.

Surprisingly, young adults who use technology actually feel the loneliest. A third of Americans in a 2023 study said they plan on taking breaks from technology due to loneliness [2]. These facts show that having lots of online friends doesn’t always mean we feel close to people.

As we live more of our lives online, it’s important to understand why social wellness matters. It affects our health, happiness, and even how long we live. In this guide, we’ll look at why connecting with others is so good for us. We’ll also share easy ways to improve your social wellness in a world where it’s easy to feel alone, even when we’re always connected.

Defining Social Wellness

Social wellness is a term that refers to our ability to both form and maintain positive relationships. This includes (but isn’t limited to) interacting effectively with others or creating a support network.

Social wellness isn’t a status symbol about how big your clique is or how popular you are in a specific community. It’s about fostering genuine connections that enrich your life.

This type of wellness is so powerful, it creates a ripple effect that improves your physical, emotional, and mental health. However, keep in mind these different kinds of health are still not one in the same.

For example, one person may be socially healthy – active in their community or opening up to others – but emotionally unhealthy due to mental illness. Another person may be socially healthy but needs mental health services after a difficult period in their life. However, improving social wellness will help in all these areas (and then some).

Now that you understand this term better, it’s time to break down all the health benefits of social wellness.

The Impact of Social Connections on Health

When’s the last time you went out with a group of friends? How about going to a social event? This question is just one of many ways to gauge your social wellness.

Research consistently shows that strong social ties have an incredible impact on our health across the board. Starting from the top:

Social Wellness Increases Your Longevity

Social wellness is like the secret sauce to a long, happy life. A 2010 meta-analysis of 148 studies found that people with stronger social relationships had a 50% increase in their likelihood of survival [3].

So what’s the science behind social wellness and longevity? According to a 2023 Stanford study, a major contributor is how social interactions reduce our stress levels. The parts of our brain linked with motivation and dopamine are more active when we laugh or socialize with people [4].

It’s true what they say: laughter really is the best medicine!

Being Socially Connected Is Great For Stress Management

A little stress here and there isn’t harmful (it can even be life-saving). However, chronic stress creates small, yet powerful changes throughout your body.

Studies have shown chronic stress can cause inflammation and overactive immune responses [5]. Several diseases linked to ongoing stress and inflammation include diabetes, cancer, anxiety, and depression.

Social wellness is closely linked to reduced stress, even something as simple as going on a long, peaceful walk with a good friend.

Social Wellness Vastly Improves Your Mental Health

Many people link healthy social wellness with improved mental health and for good reason. People with high levels of social support are much less likely to experience depression and anxiety.

For example, a study published in the 2022 Journal of Affective Disorders reported that perceived social support was associated with lower depressive symptoms [6].

A Support System Can Even Boost Physical Health

The impact of social wellness on physical health can literally be life-saving. Social wellness is linked to stress reduction, so you can already connect the dots with your future health outcomes.

A 2018 study by the American Diabetes Association found people with diabetes with six or more friends had a 49% risk of reduced risk for all-cause mortality. [7] The social impact of this reduced risk includes goal development and engaging in health-enhancing behaviors.

In other words, social support not only makes us physically healthy, but makes us work harder to stay healthy.

Strong social connections lead to better cardiovascular health, stronger immune function, and lower rates of chronic diseases. The American Public Health Association reports that social isolation is closely associated with a higher risk in mortality. [8]

Social Wellness Reduces Decline In Cognitive Function

You may already engage in tasks to increase your cognitive function, such as reducing social media usage or playing memory games. Fortunately, improving your social wellness will also help immensely here.

Socially engaged older adults show slower cognitive decline. A study in the journal PLOS ONE found that frequent social activity was associated with a significant reduction in cognitive decline [9]. It was also associated with a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

A Loving Social Network Will Boost Your Self-Esteem

While self-esteem grows from healthy self-perception, a loving and supportive social circle helps immensely. Being appreciated for who you are as a person just feels good.

A 2012 psychology research journal found a strong link between healthy social relationships and a higher sense of well-being [10]. Likewise, a lack of healthy relationships and high interpersonal conflict was linked to a lower sense of well-being.

What Does Social Wellness Look Like Today?

Despite the abundance of health benefits with social wellness, it’s not easy for many to achieve. Many people today struggle with painful loneliness and isolation.

A 2021 survey by Cigna found that 58% of American adults are considered lonely. [11] The appearance of the COVID-19 pandemic also made these feelings of isolation worse, with 36% of Americans reporting serious loneliness in 2020. [12]

Think being technologically connected automatically means less loneliness? Think again. Young adults aged 18-22 have the highest rates of loneliness, despite being well-known for being a tech-savvy generation. [13]

With loneliness so pervasive, it’s essential to dive beyond the surface and look at why.

The Challenges Of Achieving Social Wellness

There are many reasons why someone may struggle to make friends, get involved in their community, or lean on someone for emotional support. These reasons form the foundation of social wellness challenges – you may be experiencing some yourself.

According to a report by Discovery Yaba, many people experience several challenges on their way to social wellness. For starters, going through a challenging life event like divorce or retirement can increase feelings of loneliness. [14]

Living in a rural area can also make it difficult to achieve social wellness. Rural areas often lack reliable transportation and have fewer community centers or support networks.

Another commonly cited reason why people are lonely is a lack of time. Busy work schedules and the accessibility of mainstream media are also cited as to why people are struggling. [15]

With so many hurdles, how is it possible to create a socially healthy life? Worry not: we have more than a few tips.

How To Nurture Your Social Wellness

Nurturing your social wellness isn’t completed in a day. Every small step you take toward a stronger and more loving support system will do wonders for your quality of life.

Prioritize More Face-To-Face Interactions

Do you often speak to people through text, over the phone, or on a videocall? Increasing the amount of face-to-face conversations will help you with feeling more emotionally connected with others.

Reconnect With Your Empathy By Practicing Active Listening

Active listening is a term that describes listening with the intent to increase mutual understanding. It involves showing physical and verbal cues that let the listener know you’re on the same page with them.

When someone shares an important detail with you, repeat it to let them know it ‘stuck’. If someone asks you a question, make sure to ask them one to keep the conversation flowing. These are just a few examples of an active – and fulfilling – listening experience.

Join A Club Or Group That Shares An Interest

You don’t have to reinvent the wheel when it comes to social wellness. Simply joining a group with a mutual interest – like knitting or funny cat videos – is a fantastic way to start making friends.

Volunteer In Your Community

Giving back to your city or neighborhood is the gift that keeps on giving. Consider volunteering at a cat shelter, soup kitchen, or non-profit organization to connect with others (and increase your well-being in turn).

Limit Your Social Media Use And Focus On More Real-World Connections

According to a study by GWI, the typical social media user spends just about two and a half hours on social media per day [16]. Imagine if you swapped out that time with volunteering or joining a book club!

Nurture Existing Relationships Through Consistent Communication

Social wellness isn’t just about adding what’s new: it’s also about taking care of what’s already there. Try to build the habit of checking in on your friends or acquaintances more often.

Ask them how they’re doing every week or offer to do something fun when they have free time.

Keep An Open Mind For New Friendships Or Experiences

Sometimes the best friendships you make are the ones without planning. Keep an open mind and open heart – you may be surprised by who comes into your life unexpectedly!

Maintain A Social Wellness Journal To Track Your Progress

As you move forward, consider keeping a “social wellness journal” to track your interactions and feelings. This habit can help you identify patterns, celebrate progress, or pinpoint areas for improvement.

You might also explore local community initiatives or support groups that line up with your interests or experiences.

It’s Never Too Late To Improve Your Social Wellness

With so much data at our fingertips, the importance of social wellness is plain. As remote work becomes more common and digital communication continues to evolve, we have to stay proactive in maintaining and strengthening our real-world connections.

Think of your social wellness like a garden. If you want to bear fruit, you need to regularly water, trim, and tend to your plants.

What does social wellness look like in practice for you? Well, everyone’s a little different! Improved social wellness might involve setting boundaries with technology or scheduling regular social activities. It can also look like new ways to create and nurture communities in virtual spaces.

No matter where you are in life, social wellness is a skill that can be developed over time. You don’t have to be super extroverted or have a hundred friends. Social health is about growing genuine connections that provide mutual support, understanding, and joy.

By taking steps to enhance your social connections, you’re not just improving your own well-being – you’re contributing to a more connected, empathetic, and resilient community.

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