Loneliness is a quiet epidemic in this part of the world. In my humble opinion, it is a direct by-product of an individualistic society, where people are encouraged to think of themselves as independent and self-sufficient. But how independent and self-sufficient are we in reality?
We are biologically and psychologically wired for connection. We are social animals and therefore, having regular social contact and social support is inherently essential to our mental and emotional wellness. 
Studies show that people who feel lonely and isolated have high cortisol levels in their bodies. Studies also show that human touch produces high levels of serotonin. Serotonin is one of the “feeling good” hormones our bodies create. And cortisol is one of the “fight or flight” hormones.
So what can we do to lessen isolation and loneliness?
Well, the solution is simple, but not easy. It requires taking steps to create new relationships. I suggest looking creating new connections as a project. It takes time and some leg work, but the results are certainly worth gold.
- When working on your social connections 1) be strategic, 2) be active, 3) take it slow. Being strategic means take time to think about the types of people you want to bring into your life. Being active means you must go out there and actually do something to connect with others. And lastly, taking it slow means understanding that creating good relationships with others takes time. Be patient, but persistent.
- Read and oldie but a goodie- How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie. This book has been around for many decades and there are good reasons for it. Reading this book may help you learn new skills that will make it easier to connect with others.
- It’s summer time! This is the perfect time of the year to go out and join a club or a group of people who share similar interests as you. A great resource for this is meetup.com. What are your interests? Gardening? Cooking? Drawing? Writing? Hiking? Literature? Cheese tasting? Glass work? Wood work? Pet grooming? Rock collecting?
- Really, the possibilities for connecting with others are endless. Go ahead… take one step to increase your social connection. You’ll be glad you did.
I end this piece with a link to a short but excellent video by Johann Hari. I encourage you to watch it.