healthy – Ralph with Coffee

Perhaps you have already seen the popular TED talk by Robert Waldinger. As a director of the Harvard Study of Adult Development, he discusses how following 268 Harvard sophomores since 1938 helped them understand how to live healthy and happy lives. In this blog post, we will discuss how social isolation leads to cognitive impairment, how social connections improve cognitive function, and what ways to have social connections that boost cognitive function.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that loneliness is a perceived feeling of being alone, regardless of the social connections that they have. Social isolation is a lack of social connection. Some people may feel lonely even while having a lot of social relationships.

In 2022, the American Heart Association published a statement based on their systematic review of loneliness, social isolation, and their effects on heart health and cognitive function. They reported little and less robust evidence suggesting an association between social isolation and loneliness with dementia and cognitive impairment. However, they reported higher incidences of stroke and other cardiovascular diseases among those with a higher likelihood of experiencing loneliness/social isolation risk factors for dementia. Social isolation can also lead to depression, which is another element that increases the risk of dementia.

One of the exciting findings from the 2022 AHA report is that those in Generation Z (aged between 19-23 as of 2023) have the highest likelihood of experiencing loneliness. Some suggest that this may be due to the use of social media and/or having experienced social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic. A survey conducted by the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, Association for Advancement of Retired People, and Cigna noted that the prevalence of loneliness among >65 years of age ranges between 22% and 47% in the United States.

On the other hand, having a genuine social connection can lead to improved cognitive function. A 2022 Lancet commentary suggests that engaging in social activities may promote the use of neural pathway that protects against age-related neurodegenerative effects and life stressors. Another 2021 study suggests that “social connectivity may increase cognitive reserve, improve resiliency, and promote neuronal networks.”

So what are some ways that we can stay connected with others to have a higher-quality life, including improved cognitive function? Here are some suggestions:

Reconnecting with Old Friends: Kelly Bilodeau suggests that because old friends have shared past experiences, they are more likely to reconnect with you. You can try reconnecting with your friends you’ve lost touch with through social media, email, or text messages. A 2022 study suggests that unexpected emails to reconnect friendships are appreciated.
Think about Why You Want to Reach Out: Knowing why we reach out can help us be authentic and manage our expectations. Think about whether you can be vulnerable and honest with the person if you are prepared to share your sensitive information, given the history of your past relationship, and have an idea of what you hope to get out of the rekindling of the relationship.
Prioritize the Quality of the Relationship, Not the Quantity: A 2021 study suggests that having stressful relationships can lead to more harmful effects on your health than social isolation. Robert Waldinger also mentions that having a long-term relationship with someone you don’t connect with can have more harmful effects than being alone. Think about what kind of traits of a person you connect with and reach out for connections.
Participate in Sports, Social Clubs, or Group Activities: Having a shared activity that you and others enjoy will help you connect with others better! A 2022 study suggests that experiencing generalized shared reality helps build a solid social connection.

Remember, not only do social interactions in persons help improve your feeling of connectedness, but also electronically reaching out to people alleviates the sense of loneliness. A 2021 study suggests that electronically connecting with others helped prevent mental illnesses such as depression. during COVID-19 pandemic.

Conclusion

There is a high prevalence of social isolation and loneliness, exacerbated by inefficient use of social media and COVID-19. Proactively engaging in activities to build/rebuild relationships can protect against the degenerative effects of loneliness on cognitive function. We highlighted a few simple activities we can engage in to build high-quality relationships. We hope this blog has encouraged you to build your social connections for improved quality of life!

This post was inspired by a post on Harvard Health Publishing. Please make sure to check it out as well!

If you have concerns about your physical/mental health, please reach out to your physician. This blog post was made for information purpose.

please fact check what we mentioned in our post. As new research reveals more about this field, some information may be outdated.

Social Isolation Leads to Cognitive Impairment

Social Connection Leads to Improved Cognitive Function

Ways to Get Deep Social Connection to Boost Cognitive Function

Conclusion