Socialising means spending time and interacting with others to form and maintain relationships.

This can include:

• Visiting friends and family: Spending time with loved ones.

• Participating in community events: Attending local gatherings or activities.

• Joining clubs in your community: Becoming part of groups that share common interests, like book clubs or hobby groups.

• Attending classes: Learning new things by taking educational or recreational classes in your community.

• Engaging in conversations: Talking with others, whether face-to-face, over the phone, or online.

These interactions can happen in person, on the phone, or through digital means like video calls and social media. Socialising helps individuals stay connected, feel happier, and maintain their health and wellbeing.

There is no exact answer to how much socialising you need since it depends on personal preferences and health conditions. The important thing is to find a balance that works for you. It is not about having a lot of friends but having good-quality friendships that are pleasing and meaningful. Studies show that regular social interactions, even if they are brief, can boost one's wellbeing. Frequent and high-quality social connections help you stay mentally and emotionally healthy.

Loneliness is the feeling of being alone or disconnected. It happens when the social interactions you have are not as fulfilling as you’d like.

• Being alone vs feeling alone

Being alone is simply a physical state of being by oneself, which many people find enjoyable and refreshing, especially when they need to recharge from overwhelming activities and social contact. Feeling alone is an emotional experience of loneliness and disconnection, which can occur even in a crowded room without meaningful connections.

• Quantity vs Quality

Social contact involves interacting with others, whether through casual conversations or forming close bonds. However, having many acquaintances or friends doesn't necessarily make you feel less lonely, especially if your interactions are shallow and lack emotional support or real connection. Having deep, meaningful relationships where you feel supported, understood, and like you belong (like being part of a faith group) is more important for easing loneliness than having many acquaintances or surface-level chats.

Yes, having friends and staying socially connected can help you live longer. Studies show that strong relationships not only boost your health but also make life more satisfying, leading to a higher quality of life. Socialising not only extends your life but also lowers your chances of dementia.

Brain Health

• Mental Stimulation: Talking and interacting with others keeps your brain active and sharp.

• Memory Protection: Staying social can help protect against memory loss and conditions like dementia.

Physical Health

• Lower Blood Pressure: Spending time with friends and loved ones can reduce stress and help keep your blood pressure down.

• Stronger Immune System: Positive social interactions can boost your immune system, helping you fight off illnesses.

Psychological Health

• Less Stress and Anxiety: Being around others can help lower stress and anxiety levels.

• Happier Mood: Social connections can make you happier and reduce the chances of feeling depressed.

Social Health

• Better Relationships: Socialising regularly strengthens your relationships and builds a support network.

• Feeling Connected: Being part of a social group gives you a sense of belonging and improves overall life satisfaction.

While digital relationships may lack the depth of in-person interactions, they still offer valuable social benefits. When physical meetings aren't possible, computer-based communication and gaming provide meaningful avenues for connection. For instance, video calls allow us to maintain emotional bonds by seeing loved ones face-to-face (albeit on a screen), while gaming fosters connections through shared activities, teamwork, and social interaction, creating a sense of community.

Spending time with your pets can indeed count as socialising. While it’s different from human interactions, it provides companionship, emotional support, and a sense of connection. Whether it’s playing, cuddling, or simply being in their presence, it contributes positively to your wellbeing. Also, when dog walkers are out and about, they are more likely to experience social contact and conversation with other people who want to stop and pet their dogs.

A long-term partner can be protective and beneficial for various aspects of health and wellbeing. Here are several reasons why:

1. Provide emotional support which can reduce stress and anxiety.

2. Being in a stable relationship is associated with lower rates of depression and higher sense of happiness and life satisfaction.

3. Encourage each other to adopt healthier lifestyles, such as healthy eating, regular exercise and adherence to medical advice.

4. Partnership reduces the risk of chronic illnesses like heart disease and diabetes.

5. Long-term relationships increase longevity, due to combined effects of emotional, mental and physical health benefits.

6. A partner provides practical support during illness or recovery, which can improve health outcomes and speed up recovery.