In the United States and across the globe, the rise in loneliness and social isolation has become a major social and public health concern (Goldman et al., 2026; Holt-Lunstad, 2024; Murthy, 2023). A review by researchers in World Health Organization (WHO) countries reveals that “loneliness and social isolation are prevalent across all age groups and geographic regions” (Goldman, 2026).
Why Social Connection Matters for Well-Being
We are social beings. Social connection is fundamentally associated with well-being, resilience, and a longer lifespan (Holt-Lunstad, 2024). Perhaps it’s no surprise that research links loneliness with risk factors for physical and mental illness, mortality, low educational attainment, and unemployment.
Relationships and social connections are fundamental to many experiences in life—from joys to sorrows, love to hate, meaning to meaninglessness, engagement to disengagement— and all that we encounter amid the tumult of our lives. During life’s challenges, social connection can be the tether that helps us stay connected.
The longitudinal Harvard Study of Adult Development confirms that relationships are a central component of a happy, healthy life. This study began in 1938 and continues to the present. According to Robert Waldinger, MD, longitudinal evidence shows that people who build connections and relationships fare much better in life (2022; 2015). In a 2015 TED talk, Waldinger states that the clearest message from this long-term research is: “Good relationships keep us happier and healthier. Period.”
Life satisfaction is built on many components. Many positive psychologists use the acronym PERMA to delineate five measurable building blocks of well-being: Positive emotions, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning and purpose, and Accomplishment (Seligman, 2011). Notable among these elements is the R—Relationships.
Even brief casual social interactions can boost our well-being (Fredrickson, 2013). Researchers Epley and Schroeder (2014) studied the experience of interacting with strangers. They conducted nine experiments, including asking commuters traveling on buses and trains to start up a conversation with strangers. What they found was contrary to what we might have expected. People riding on a train to downtown Chicago and on a public bus reported more positive experiences when they talked to a stranger than when they sat in solitude. Other experiments have shown similar findings (Mallett, Wilson, & Gilbert, 2008).
These findings offer important information about the many benefits of social connection. Yet, many people tend to avoid or dismiss brief casual interactions, not realizing the potential positives for themselves and others.
6 Strategies to Increase Social Engagement
If you would like to increase your engagement in social interaction in positive, prosocial ways, here are six strategies to experiment with:
- Greeting others. Perhaps starting up a brief conversation with a neighbor, someone at the store or coffee shop, the public library, a passerby as you walk in a safe place, or someone you see at the gym.
- Talking to a colleague at work or a customer in your professional environment.
- Sharing an expression of gratitude with someone who has done something nice.
- Interacting with others at organizations, public centers, informal groups, or social situations.
- Joining a discussion group or book group, or meeting with others with similar interests.
- Volunteering in a way that you find meaningful. For example: visiting someone who can’t get out easily, donating your time at a local library or a homeless shelter, helping others with errands or other tasks, driving a friend to a medical appointment, bringing food to someone who might appreciate it, or something else.
In today’s busy, challenging world, there are many ways we can engage in casual social interactions or develop more sustained relationships. How could you increase your opportunities for interactions with others?
© 2026 Ilene Berns-Zare, LLC, All Rights Reserved
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. No content is a substitute for consulting with a qualified mental health or healthcare professional.
