While social robots and technology can individually alleviate loneliness, prioritize investing time and effort in human relationships to avoid neglecting person-to-person connections for societal well-being.
Redefine your support network to view friendship networks as equally meaningful as blood ties, actively investing in them as much as you do in family relationships.
Actively prioritize and nurture your friendships, understanding that relationships require consistent time and effort to grow and don’t just happen spontaneously.
Put your phone down and be fully present and in the moment when physically with others, to foster deeper and more meaningful connections.
Whenever possible and safe, choose to meet people face-to-face over virtual interactions, as in-person connections are more beneficial for feeling connected and empathetic.
Spend less time on screens to improve your ability to interact face-to-face, as excessive screen time makes in-person interaction challenging and can lead to remedial social skills.
Temporarily disengage from social media platforms, as studies show it can lead to feeling significantly less lonely, happier, and spending more time in-person with friends and family.
Keep smartphones away from shared spaces, even when turned off, as their mere presence can make people feel less empathetic and connected during interactions.
Recognize and nurture the importance of your local neighborhood, similar to how you nurture friendships, by actively engaging with and supporting your community.
Commit to shopping at local shops, trading off online convenience to support and nurture your local community and foster local connections.
Show up at existing community events or take the initiative to create them if none exist, to foster local connections and engagement within your neighborhood.
Take a moment to pause and say hello to people you encounter, like someone walking their dog, rather than rushing by, as even brief interactions can make a huge difference to how connected you feel.
Engage in short, 30-second exchanges with people like a cafe server, as these micro-interactions can significantly enhance your feeling of connection and reduce loneliness.
Actively recognize and value traits like kindness, caring, and collaboration in others—be it co-workers, friends, partners, or employees—over purely competitive traits.
Actively think about and reach out to people in your network who might be feeling lonely, prioritizing them by calling or texting, especially during challenging times.
Engage in volunteering to help others, as it’s a win-win that can make you feel less lonely and also offers health benefits, with research showing it can increase longevity.
Encourage yourself and your children to find and join communities centered around genuine interests and passions, such as music, drama, or chess, to foster connection with like-minded people.
Apply the improv rule of “yes, and” in conversations and group discussions to build upon others’ ideas, fostering more collaborative and engaging interactions.
Engage in activities like improv to practice being fully in the moment and focusing attention on the other person, which helps you become a better, more mindful listener.
Actively protect and support shared public spaces like libraries, community centers, and youth clubs, as they are crucial physical locations for people to come together and connect.
Employers should make alleviating loneliness a critical part of their corporate mission and office redesign post-pandemic, as lonely employees are less productive, less engaged, and more likely to leave.
Companies can foster connection by encouraging employees to eat together and by reconsidering open-plan offices, which surprisingly lead to social withdrawal and increased email communication.
Governments should invest in community infrastructure and place the alleviation of loneliness at the heart of their economic mission, alongside traditional metrics like GDP, to enhance well-being.
As a parent, recognize the high probability that your child is feeling lonely, given that over 60% of young people report frequent loneliness, especially exacerbated by isolation periods.
Be aware that your child’s social life largely happens on screens, making it harder to spot exclusion; monitor their social media usage for signs they might not be invited to things.
Have open conversations with your children to destigmatize loneliness within your household, making it easier for them to share their feelings and seek support.