Social Connection

Key points

  • Staying connected to others creates feelings of belonging and being loved, cared for, and valued.
  • Social connections are important to our mental and physical health.
  • Being connected to others helps protect against serious illness and disease.
  • People with stronger social bonds are more likely to live longer, healthier lives.
A group of people placing their hands together, symbolizing social connectedness

Overview

Social connection is the size and diversity of one's social network and roles, the functions these relationships serve, and their positive or negative qualities.

Social connectedness reflects the continuum of meeting social connection needs. It is the degree to which you have the number, quality, and variety of relationships that you want. It is when you feel like you belong and have the support and care that you need.

Diverse group outdoors, joined hands overhead, cheering outdoors.
Supportive social connections can lead to longer and healthier lives.

Why it's important

Protection against chronic disease and serious illness

High-quality relationships can help people live longer, healthier lives. Social connection can help reduce the risk of chronic disease and serious illness, such as:

  • Heart disease.
  • Stroke.
  • Dementia.
  • Depression and anxiety.

Positive health benefits

Social connection can lead to longer life, better health, and well-being. It can improve:

  • Our ability to manage stress, anxiety, and depression.
  • Healthy eating habits and physical activity.
  • Quality of sleep.

How it works

Creating social connections

People are social creatures by nature. Our relationships with family, friends, coworkers, and community members are important to our survival.

Stable and supportive relationships give us the support we need to cope with stressful life challenges.

People with healthy relationships are more likely to make healthy choices that lead to better mental and physical health.

Social connections give us:

  • Emotional support: people we can turn to during good times and hard times.
  • Physical support:
    • A ride to the doctor or grocery store.
    • Help with childcare on short notice.

Community connections

Communities that offer supportive connections are just as important. They can help create trust and resilience among community members in public places, such as:

  • Neighborhoods.
  • Schools.
  • Places of worship.
  • Workplaces.
  • Parks and recreation centers.

Having safe access to public areas for people to connect encourages:

  • Connections among people in the community.
  • Less social isolation and loneliness.
  • Community members to give back, further strengthening the bonds.

More on social connection

Visit and explore other topics on social connection.

Mother and daughter smiling outdoors.

Improving Social Connectedness

Improving social connections to improve our quality of life, and our health and well-being.
Young, sad woman looking out a window.

Health Effects of Social Isolation and Loneliness

An overview of the health, social, and economic effects of social isolation and loneliness in the U.
Medical and other community representatives collaborating at a conference table.

Promising Approaches to Promote Social Connection

Learn what you can do to promote social connections and reduce loneliness in your community.
Team of volunteers working together for their community at food bank.

Promoting Social Connection

Learn what national organizations and agencies are doing to improve social connections.
Multiple generations of female Navajos together, wrapped in customary blankets in Monument Valley.

CDC Social Connection Efforts

Learn about the CDC programs, funding, action, and focus on the benefits of social connectedness.
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Content Source:
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP)