You’ve probably heard that eating well and exercising are key for staying healthy, but did you know that your friendships and social connections are just as important? A groundbreaking study led by Julianne Holt-Lunstad has found strong evidence that being socially connected isn’t just good for your mood—it could literally save your life: people who feel lonely or isolated are more likely to face mental health struggles like anxiety and depression, and are even at higher risk for physical issues like heart disease or dying younger. Yep, loneliness can hit your health as hard as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.
So what’s going on? Since the pandemic, rates of loneliness have gone way up, especially among young people. And although tech helps us stay in touch, it doesn’t always lead to deeper, real-life connections.
Here’s what you can do:
👥 Make time for real conversations—voice or video calls count too!
🧩 Join a group or activity that brings you joy and purpose.
📵 Take breaks from scrolling and focus on quality time IRL or with your closest people.
Bottom line: your mental and physical health are closely linked to how connected you feel. Let’s build relationships that go beyond likes and snaps.
You’re not alone—and you don’t have to be.
