How important is a social life?
· 24 min
Episode How important is a social life?
Introvert or extrovert, we've all been told about the importance of social connection to our health.
Isolation can have knock-on effects for your brain health – and the health of the rest of your body.
Norman and Tegan unpack how many friends the average person "needs" and what happens when you're alone but not lonely.
References:
• Social ties and health: the benefits of social integration • Social isolation: a predictor of mortality comparable to traditional clinical risk factors • The Connection Prescription: Using the Power of Social Interactions and the Deep Desire for Connectedness to Empower Health and Wellness • Friendships, Subjective Age, and Life Satisfaction of Women in Midlife • The American Friendship Project: A report on the status and health of friendship in America • Social connection linked to improved health and reduced risk of early death – World Health Organization • Differential Social Cognitive Performance in Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment and Dementia • Introvert vs Social Anxiety: How to tell the difference
If you enjoyed this episode, check these out!
• Is retirement bad for you? • Chronotypes: early birds vs night owls • Should you aim for an alkaline lifestyle?
Links in the notes 11
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8915476/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24028260/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6125010/
- https://sci-hub.box/10.1002/adsp.12086
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11288408/
- https://www.who.int/news/item/30-06-2025-social-connection-linked-to-improved-heath-and-reduced-risk-of-early-death
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39266407/
- https://www.healthline.com/health/anxiety/introvert-vs-social-anxiety
- https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/whats-that-rash/retirement-health-impact-brain-body/106236998
- https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/whats-that-rash/chronotype-early-lark-night-owl/105558944
- https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/whats-that-rash/alkaline-acid-diet-lifestyle/106022368
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