Social

The Loneliness Epidemic Has Met Its Match

That friend you’ve been meaning to call for three months, turns out your procrastination might be costing you more than just a friendship. Having strong and secure relationships increases our lifespan more than quitting a pack-a-day smoking habit! Your social calendar isn’t just fun and games. It’s a prescription for better health and longer life.

High on Friendship

Positive social connections create a natural high in the brain that pharmaceutical companies would kill to sell. When we visit over coffee, laugh with coworkers, or have dinner with our family, our brain releases feel-good chemicals that do more than lift our mood. Healthy interactions with other people release a whole cocktail of chemicals that help your brain.

The Surprising Math of Socializing

That weekend brunch you’re too tired for might add years to your life. People who socialize every day live longer than those who don’t. Even those who only got together occasionally outlived the loners. The social butterflies among us aren’t just having more fun, they’re literally buying themselves extra time. More fun and more time!

Your Brain Wants Friends

The part of your brain responsible for memory physically grows when you hang out with people. Greater social connectedness enlarges the memory part of your brain, improving memory and overall brain health. Isolation does the opposite. When we are isolated, our brain shrinks. Your brain is shaped by the company you keep, growing stronger with every conversation, but in solitude, it wilts like a neglected houseplant.

In some regions of the world, life centers around social interaction. These places raise resilient children and build strong communities. In these areas, residents regularly hit a 100 while staying sharp as tacks. They’re not popping supplements or doing extreme diets. They’re simply enjoying each other’s company, sharing meals, and staying connected. Does it really make that much difference? The super agers would say yes, if they weren’t too busy at their weekly card games.

Loneliness Leads to Panic

When you’re isolated, your body senses danger. Loneliness is a biological signal indicating that we need human connection, just like thirst is a signal telling us that we need water. We aren’t meant to be alone. When we are isolated, our stress hormones spike, our immune system tanks, and our blood pressure climbs. Socializing with another person lowers heart rate, blood pressure, and stress-related hormones. That friend who wants to grab lunch? They’re basically free healthcare!

Quality Matters a Little

Before you stress about cultivating the optimal social circle, maintaining a perfect set of friends, and being the ideal family, relax. Even social connections that we wouldn’t rate as our favorite help our health. Even your annoying neighbor counts. The cranky relative who always wants to talk about his ailments is adding to your health and longevity. Perfect relationships aren’t the goal — connecting with people is. See past the flaws to the person.

Your Prescription

Your social fitness plan doesn’t require a gym membership, special equipment, or a perfectly planned get-together. Call that old friend. Join that book club. Say yes to the office happy hour. Show up to family gatherings, even the awkward ones. Your brain will reward you with better memory, your body will thank you with lower blood pressure, and chances are, you’ll outlive the loners who stayed home.

We Need Each Other

We need people in our lives. Humans need humans, not in a touchy-feely way, but in a real, biological way. We need people in our lives just like we need food, water, and sleep. So stop reading this and go text or call someone. Your brain and body will thank you.