Recipe to combat scientifically proven loneliness

A study of Georgia University and the Brigham Young University with 1,551 participants has demonstrated that face -to -face events, and above all to those who encourage active participation, reduces the loneliness and increases social connection.

Within the study, published in the magazine Social Psychological and Personality Science that collects Infosalus, these have been the key findings:

• the Active participation (interact instead of observing) was the strongest predictor of feeling connected.
• go in person It is better than attending virtually.
• go With other people and repeat the activity reinforces the effect.
• The connection increase usually disappears in less than 24 hoursso the regularity It is necessary to maintain benefits.

Directed by doctors Richard SLATCHER (UGA) and Julianne Holt-Lustad (Byu), point out that: “This research underlines a fairly simple conclusion but, in my opinion, powerful: if you want to feel more socially connected, go to face -to -face events, that encourage participation and those who can attend with other people. Those who seek to feel less isolated could benefit from something as accessible as a weekly class of ‘fitness’ or a local concert with friends.”

Isolation and loneliness

Research is especially relevant in the era postpandemicswhen many people seek to rebuild the community and combat isolation.

“These findings are especially relevant after Covidsince people keep looking for the way rebuild the community and fight the isolation that many experienced during the pandemic, “says Slatcher. The United States General Surgeon has declared loneliness as a epidemic and has issued a notice led by Holt-Link. This study offers appropriate and practical measures to address these concerns and foster connection.

They seek to maintain this connection level

Daisi Brandfirst author of the article and a doctoral student at the UGA, she said that future studies should also focus on how to maintain this connection level beyond a Specific event.

The authors propose to investigate how to convert those momentary peaks into links durable; For now, the practical recipe is: Go, participate, accompany and repeat.