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Writer's picture: Bob HutchinsBob Hutchins

It’s 2024, and millions of people are feeling the same way: disconnected.


The flimsy relationships created on social media through likes or followers have worn thin. We’re looking for something real. 







A New Type of Health


Until recently, the data on how relationships impact our physical health didn’t exist. Millions of people struggle with low energy, mental fog, and a constant feeling of disconnection each day, often unaware that a significant part of the issue may stem from not prioritizing time with friends, neighbors, and family.


New studies from the Department of Health & Human Services have shown that the impacts of socializing are on par with the activities most people consider critical for physical health -  daily exercise, getting enough sleep, and staying away from processed foods. 


And now, there’s a term for it: social health. Social health is about three things:


  1. Your 1:1 sources of connection: who are the 2 or 3 people you can consistently rely on?

  2. Your communities: what groups do you spend time with regularly that give you a sense of belonging?

  3. Daily micro-interactions: how frequently do you have small but consistent interactions with the people around you?


You can have thousands of online friends and still feel alone. That’s because real social health comes from deeper, consistent connections, not just casual or surface-level interactions. As these search trends show, people are realizing that it’s not enough to have people around—you need to feel a sense of belonging..


The Loneliness Crisis Post-Pandemic


The pandemic pulled the rug out from under our social lives. We lost casual chats in the office, spontaneous coffee dates, and even small moments of eye contact with strangers. According to the New York Times, even as life returns to “normal,” we’re struggling to rebuild our social lives.

And the numbers don’t lie. Searches for “feel lonely” and “meet new people” have soared, showing that loneliness is no longer just a personal problem; it’s a societal one. This disconnection is something we’re all grappling with.





The Real Costs of Loneliness


Loneliness isn’t just bad for your mood—it’s bad for your health. Studies have shown that loneliness can be as harmful as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. It’s linked to higher risks of depression, anxiety, heart disease, and even early death. In fact, persistent loneliness creates a 30 - 50% higher risk that a person will experience these health issues.


What’s interesting is that loneliness isn’t about being physically alone. Purposely Social, a platform dedicated to helping people build real-life connections, points out that many people feel lonely even when they’re surrounded by others—because the quality of those relationships isn’t strong enough. It’s emotional isolation that hurts the most, even when we’re physically together.


How to Rebuild Social Health


Rebuilding social health takes more than just showing up. It’s about being intentional to prioritize deep, meaningful relationships over casual, fleeting ones. 


Here a few simple ways to focus in on your social health:


Start small. Reach out to people you already know and suggest meeting up in person. There’s no substitute for real face-to-face interaction.


Be present. When you’re with someone, really be with them. Put the phone down. Listen actively. These small changes make a big difference in how connected you feel.


Join local activities. Whether it’s a community group or a fitness class, getting involved in shared activities can foster new, meaningful connections.


Purposely Social’s Approach: Making Connection Easier


Here’s where Purposely Social steps in. They’ve created a platform designed to make social planning less stressful and more intentional. Their goal is simple: to help you create meaningful connections, not just fill up your calendar. They offer tools to organize face-to-face meetups, whether that’s catching up with an old friend or joining a local group, making it easier for people to reconnect.

Their solution goes deeper than just convenience. 


Purposely Social focuses on social fitness, which is like training your social muscles—getting better at nurturing relationships that last. Purposely Social gives people the tools they need to make time for real connection, even in the busiest schedules.


The Path Forward


If there’s one thing we can take away from these rising search trends, it’s this: we all need to reconnect. And not just on social media, but in real life. The good news is that it’s possible. By being intentional and using tools like Purposely Social, we can create spaces for the meaningful, lasting relationships that we all crave.


The world feels more disconnected than ever, but the solution starts with small steps: reach out, engage, and make time for the people who matter.


Purposely Social is dedicated to helping Americans build deeper connections in real life by removing the work and anxiety of social planning. Its personalized social fitness plans and schedule sync tools serve to support adults who need help managing busy schedules, or just have trouble getting out of the house. You can sign up for early access to their platform here.

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About

Social Sustenance is written by the team at Purposely Social, a mobile app helping thousands of Americans build deeper relationships in real life, by taking the work and anxiety out of social planning.

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