Some research suggests that social isolation is linked to a 50% greater risk of developing dementia. Dementia is a condition that affects your memory and thinking ability. The most commonTrusted Source form of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease.
Does being social prevent dementia? Not entirely, but it can help.
There’s no guaranteed way to ward off dementia, but experts believe that staying socially active helps reduce the risk. One research article found that socially active older adults had a 38% lower risk of dementiaTrusted Source than people who were less socially active.
Compared with their less social peers, the more social adults also had a 21% lower risk of developing mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a condition involving thinking and memory problems that can progress to dementia.
The study found only a correlation between staying social and a lower risk of MCI, so it’s possible that the link has another cause — but there are reasons to be optimistic about the findings.
Protective effects of social contact
Staying social offers a sense of belonging and social support, which can help foster effective coping strategies in tough times. Social support can also help protect against mental health conditions, such as:
Social interaction can also help build cognitive reserve — a type of brain agility that helps with problem-solving — which protects against cognitive decline. A 2024 study suggests that staying social may delay the onset of dementia by up to 5 yearsTrusted Source.
Maintaining a social life has physical benefits as well. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Trusted Source, strong social ties link with a lower risk of heart disease and stroke.
Social support may also help improve factors like sleep quality and eating habits. These benefits could be because our close relatives help us and encourage us to adopt healthier behaviors, such as going to the doctor.
Ways to be social that can protect your health
If you’re looking to expand your social circle, you may not have to look far. You can start with your existing friends and family, as well as your neighbors and community.
Here are a few ways you might want to try to be more social:
- host a dinner party
- arrange a regular phone or video call with long-distance friends and family members
- make small talk with a stranger during errands like grocery shopping
- try a new team sport
- host a craft night with friends
- text a friend to initiate a catch up
- stream weekly episodes of a TV show with your friends
- go for a walk with someone
Does online socialization ‘count’?
So much socialization now happens online, whether through social media or video calls. Online socialization can be a valuable way to connect with people who live far away, and it can help you stay in touch with others if you can’t easily leave home or if you experience social anxiety.
However, evidence suggests that in-person socialization offers more health benefits than online interactions. Ideally, you can use a mix of in-person and online socialization to keep up with the people in your life.
How to build social connections
If you’re looking to expand your social circle, it can be difficult to know where to start. Try the following tips to meet new people or strengthen old social connections:
- Reconnect with old friends: These days, you can reconnect with people you haven’t talked with in years by reaching out on social media platforms. Look for old friends and catch up with them in person or through a video chat.
- Get active with others: Find a group that’s interested in an activity you enjoy, such as walking, dancing, or pickleball. Or consider meeting up with a neighbor, family member, or friend for a regular walk.
- Try a new creative hobby: If you aren’t so interested in team sports, consider trying a new creative hobby, like a pottery class, joining a choir, or taking a class to get a new qualification.
- Volunteer with a group: Volunteering is a great way to give back and make connections in your community. Find a group that works on a cause that’s meaningful to you, or look for what your community needs most.
- Get to know your neighbors: If your neighborhood sponsors events, stop by and introduce yourself or catch up with people you already know. If a new neighbor moves in, knock on their door to say hello and welcome them.
- Shake up your routine: If you’re always doing the same things, you’re probably going to see the same people. Try taking a new exercise class or going to the grocery store at a different time.
Read the full article Medically reviewed by Nancy Hammond, M.D. — Written by Erica Patino
