Humans thrive on connection. From the earliest days of our existence, we’ve relied on social bonds.

Research highlights a profound link between meaningful social interactions and mental wellbeing. Being connected to others can support cognitive health, uplift mood, and even help guard against cognitive decline.

Whether catching up with a friend over coffee, attending book club, or having a quick chat with colleagues, these everyday interactions aren’t just pleasant – they’re vital for a healthier, more fulfilling life.

Social Connections Support Mental Health

In the Hierarchy of Needs, psychologist Abraham Maslow described social relationships as being fundamental to human development and psychological wellbeing. Maslow explained that close associations with small groups of people – such as family, friends, or a life partner – help us feel loved, accepted, and like we belong.^[1]

Maslow’s ideas have been supported by subsequent research showing that tight-knit families and communities can foster better mental health. Small towns and rural areas, for example, often have strong social networks. This can reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation.^[2]

This effect may be linked to neurotransmitter production. Trust, love, and intimate connections can trigger the release of oxytocin, also known as the ‘love hormone’, which plays a key role in social cognition and social behaviors. Higher levels of oxytocin are associated with lower levels of anxiety and stress. Social interactions also produce elevated levels of dopamine, the ‘reward hormone’, which contributes to greater motivation and a sense of wellbeing.^[3]

Social Engagement Stimulates Cognitive Function

Regularly engaging in social activities may help protect against neurodegenerative conditions such as dementia.

Several large studies have shown that people who live with others or regularly interact with family and friends have reduced risk of cognitive decline over time. A 2023 meta-analysis of 13 longitudinal ageing studies including nearly 40,000 participants found that people with regular social connections had a lower risk of incident dementia.^[4]

Social engagement and social activities were the most important aspects of supporting cognitive health among older people, while living with others also appeared to help reduce the decline of language skills and overall cognitive function. Weekly interactions with family and friends, and/or being regularly involved with a community group were found to help maintain memory skills. In addition, older adults who were regularly involved in voluntary work, artistic activities, and/or religious activities had a lower incidence of developing dementia.

Other research has indicated that participation in group activities may even help to improve cognitive integrity and protect mental skills, especially in older people.^[5] Researchers explain that being with other people appears to help strengthen neural networks and cognitive function, which can slow the process of normal age-related decline.^[6]

The Impact of Loneliness

Loneliness – the feeling of being disconnected from others and longing for companionship – is an important determinant of cognitive health. Loneliness has been associated with faster cognitive decline due to its impact on key brain regions responsible for decision-making, emotions, and memory.^[7]

Older adults who experience loneliness or social isolation often show higher levels of amyloid buildup in the brain, a key feature of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.^[8]

This underscores the significant link between social connection and brain health and the importance of supporting those at risk. It’s also one of the reasons that the 2020 Lancet Commission report on dementia prevention estimated that addressing social isolation could reduce global dementia cases by 4%.^[9]

How To Improve Brain Health Through Social Connections

Join Social Groups Online

Online platforms such as Meetup.com can connect you with events and people in your area who share your passions and interests. It’s free to sign up and suitable for people of all ages.

If travelling isn’t an option, virtual meetings or online conversations can offer similar benefits. As long as you exercise the usual caution, Facebook groups can provide an interface for you to chat with people.

Find A New Hobby

Joining a club, class, or event can be a great way to meet people while building new skills. Many community education centres offer night classes or workshops in sports, crafts, arts, and languages. Volunteering with a local organisation – such as an animal shelter, a charity store, or wildlife conservation – can also bring you closer to your community.

Make an Effort to Reach Out

Be the one who initiates. Reach out to people you haven’t heard from for a while, and you may rekindle a friendship or become part of their social circle.

At the same time, stay connected with family and friends by checking in regularly. It’s easy to forget that those closest to you also value hearing from you.

This content is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for health professional advice.

^[1] Martino, J., Pegg, J., & Frates, E. P. (2015). The Connection Prescription: Using the Power of Social Interactions and the Deep Desire for Connectedness to Empower Health and Wellness. American journal of lifestyle medicine, 11(6), 466–475. https://doi.org/10.1177/1559827615608788

^[2] Sintonen, S., & Pehkonen, A. (2014). Effect of social networks and well-being on acute care needs. Health & social care in the community, 22(1), 87–95. https://doi.org/10.1111/hsc.12068

^[3] Dresp-Langley B. (2023). From Reward to Anhedonia-Dopamine Function in the Global Mental Health Context. Biomedicines, 11(9), 2469. https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines11092469

^[4] Mahalingam, G., Samtani, S., Lam, B. C. P., Lipnicki, D. M., Lima-Costa, M. F., Blay, S. L., Castro-Costa, E., Shifu, X., Guerchet, M., Preux, P. M., Gbessemehlan, A., Skoog, I., Najar, J., Sterner, T. R., Scarmeas, N., Yannakoulia, M., Dardiotis, T., Kim, K. W., Riedel-Heller, S., Röhr, S., … SHARED consortium for the Cohort Studies of Memory in an International Consortium (COSMIC) (2023). Social connections and risk of incident mild cognitive impairment, dementia, and mortality in 13 longitudinal cohort studies of ageing. Alzheimer’s & dementia : the journal of the Alzheimer’s Association, 19(11), 5114–5128. https://doi.org/10.1002/alz.13072

^[5] Haslam, C., Cruwys, T., & Haslam, S. A. (2014). “The we’s have it”: evidence for the distinctive benefits of group engagement in enhancing cognitive health in aging. Social science & medicine (1982), 120, 57–66. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2014.08.037

^[6] Cheng, ST. Cognitive Reserve and the Prevention of Dementia: the Role of Physical and Cognitive Activities. Curr Psychiatry Rep 18, 85 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-016-0721-2

^[7] Cardona, M., & Andrés, P. (2023). Are social isolation and loneliness associated with cognitive decline in ageing? Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 15(15). https://doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2023.1075563

^[8] Donovan, N. J., Okereke, O. I., Vannini, P., Amariglio, R. E., Rentz, D. M., Marshall, G. A., Johnson, K. A., & Sperling, R. A. (2016). Association of Higher Cortical Amyloid Burden With Loneliness in Cognitively Normal Older Adults. JAMA psychiatry, 73(12), 1230–1237. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2016.2657

^[9] Livingston, G., Huntley, J., Sommerlad, A., Ames, D., Ballard, C., Banerjee, S., … Orgeta, V. (2020). Dementia prevention, intervention, and care: 2020 report of the lancet commission. The Lancet, 396(10248), 413–446. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30367-6