SUBSCRIBE NOW You are not alone in wanting more connection. In fact, 1 in 4 Canadians say they feel lonely often or always. Dr. Jeremy Nobel says, “Just like thirst is a signal you need hydration, loneliness is a signal you need human connection.” People are social creatures by nature and our relationships are important to our survival. The Canadian Alliance for Social Connection and Health has established guidelines for social connection to empower us to build and sustain meaningful relationships. By focusing on personal actions and behaviours, individuals can take steps to enhance social wellbeing and the wellbeing of others. Consider these evidence-based recommendations to help meet your social needs: Make social connection a priority throughout your life. Meeting your social needs often requires time, effort and intentionality. Be thoughtful and aware of how much and what types of social connection you are getting and strive to pursue meaningful, satisfying and positive connections with others. Cultivate social confidence in yourself and others. Be open to social interaction and connecting with others by taking small steps and looking for manageable ways to expand your capacity. Be compassionate with yourself and others – it takes time! Build a strong social network with a variety of relationships. Diversify where you get social connection and be open to meeting new people and socializing with others. Challenge yourself to have positive and meaningful connections in different parts of your life – work, school, home and in your neighbourhood. Invest in getting enough social connection. Seek out opportunities for near-daily social interactions. Spend quality time every week socializing with those you’re closest to or would like to become closer to. And remain open to new and deepening relationships while prioritizing meaningful and satisfying relationships. Maintain and deepen your relationships with others. Learn and practise the social skills needed to navigate social challenges and maintain healthy relationships – good communication, compassion and boundary-setting. Strive to develop a close circle of supportive people you can trust, and care for others by fostering mutually beneficial, intimate, open and trusting relationships. Seek out face-to-face interactions and use technology wisely. Ensure plenty of opportunities for face-to-face, in-person social interactions with others. Limit passive use of technology and use tools and platforms that benefit and strengthen relationships with others. After decades of research, we now know our relationships and interactions with others are crucial determinants of health. Loneliness is a public health issue. The good news is every person can take steps to improve social wellbeing to live a happier, healthier, longer life. “The ultimate solution to loneliness lies in each of us. We can be the medicine that each other needs. We can be the solution other people crave. We are all doctors, and we are all healers.” – Vivek H. Murthy Taniel Zanidean is a health promotion facilitator with Recovery Alberta. Learn more about Social Connection Guidelines at casch.org/guidelines.
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