For many years we've been living in what neuroscientist Ben Rein calls 'a post-interaction world'. With social media dominating our lives, many of us are spending more time interacting with digital devices than face-to-face interactions.
The science is clear: isolation has devastating consequences for our health and wellbeing. According to research published by Rein, mice who were left alone fared significantly worse when it came to strokes and recovery compared to their socialised companions. And in humans, the evidence suggests a similar correlation.
Isolation triggers a stress response, which causes us to release cortisol - our body's "fight or flight" hormone. While this might seem like a good thing, prolonged exposure to high levels of cortisol can lead to inflammation, which is associated with various health problems.
On the other hand, social interaction has numerous benefits for our health and wellbeing. Being around others triggers the release of oxytocin - often referred to as "the love hormone" - which promotes feelings of happiness, relaxation, and bonding. Socialising also boosts serotonin levels, another neurotransmitter that plays a crucial role in regulating mood.
But it's not just physical health benefits we should be concerned about; social connection can also have profound effects on our mental wellbeing. Research has shown that when we're around others, we tend to think more positively about ourselves and the world, and are less likely to experience anxiety or depression.
Despite these clear benefits, many of us struggle to make time for social interactions in our busy lives. Online socialising can be a pale imitation of real-life interactions, which are important for our brain's social reward systems.
To get the most out of social interactions, Rein suggests upgrading our interactions whenever possible. This could mean opting for video calls instead of text messages, or meeting up with friends in person rather than just chatting online.
For many of us, this might feel like a daunting task - after all, many people are introverts and prefer to spend time alone. However, there's no one-size-fits-all prescription for socialising. Everyone benefits from some amount of social interaction, whether it's with friends, family, or even strangers.
By making the case for social connection in all its forms, Rein aims to provide an individual incentive to look outward and engage with others. His ambition is idealistic, but his message couldn't be more timely - in a world that seems increasingly fractured and divided, talking to strangers, giving compliments, and connecting positively with others could make a real difference.
So why wait? The next time you're tempted to spend hours scrolling through social media or chatting with someone online, take a moment to consider the benefits of face-to-face interaction. Not only will it be good for your mental health, but it could also make a positive impact on your community and the world at large.
The science is clear: isolation has devastating consequences for our health and wellbeing. According to research published by Rein, mice who were left alone fared significantly worse when it came to strokes and recovery compared to their socialised companions. And in humans, the evidence suggests a similar correlation.
Isolation triggers a stress response, which causes us to release cortisol - our body's "fight or flight" hormone. While this might seem like a good thing, prolonged exposure to high levels of cortisol can lead to inflammation, which is associated with various health problems.
On the other hand, social interaction has numerous benefits for our health and wellbeing. Being around others triggers the release of oxytocin - often referred to as "the love hormone" - which promotes feelings of happiness, relaxation, and bonding. Socialising also boosts serotonin levels, another neurotransmitter that plays a crucial role in regulating mood.
But it's not just physical health benefits we should be concerned about; social connection can also have profound effects on our mental wellbeing. Research has shown that when we're around others, we tend to think more positively about ourselves and the world, and are less likely to experience anxiety or depression.
Despite these clear benefits, many of us struggle to make time for social interactions in our busy lives. Online socialising can be a pale imitation of real-life interactions, which are important for our brain's social reward systems.
To get the most out of social interactions, Rein suggests upgrading our interactions whenever possible. This could mean opting for video calls instead of text messages, or meeting up with friends in person rather than just chatting online.
For many of us, this might feel like a daunting task - after all, many people are introverts and prefer to spend time alone. However, there's no one-size-fits-all prescription for socialising. Everyone benefits from some amount of social interaction, whether it's with friends, family, or even strangers.
By making the case for social connection in all its forms, Rein aims to provide an individual incentive to look outward and engage with others. His ambition is idealistic, but his message couldn't be more timely - in a world that seems increasingly fractured and divided, talking to strangers, giving compliments, and connecting positively with others could make a real difference.
So why wait? The next time you're tempted to spend hours scrolling through social media or chatting with someone online, take a moment to consider the benefits of face-to-face interaction. Not only will it be good for your mental health, but it could also make a positive impact on your community and the world at large.
... I mean, have you ever spent hours scrolling through social media, only to feel like you're missing out on real life 
? It's like we're living in this virtual bubble, and it's affecting our mental health big time 
. But, at the same time, I get it - introverts are just as valid and need their alone time too 
. The key is to find that balance, right? Like, can't we just have a mix of online and offline socialising? Maybe video calls for when you're really busy or can't meet up in person? 
... it's like, we're all so caught up in our own little worlds, but if we just take the time to connect with others, it could totally shift the vibe of our community 
. Plus, have you ever noticed how much better you feel after having a good chat with someone new? It's like, our brains are wired for connection 
... anyway, I'm definitely going to start making more of an effort to meet up with friends and family in person 
like seriously who else is feeling super guilty about spending too much time online 
? I know I am! And I'm not saying I want to cut social media out of my life or anything, but can't we find a balance? Like, isn't it possible to do both? We need some human interaction in our lives stat 
! I'm all about that social life 
, especially when it comes to video calls with friends 
. It's like, we can still hang out and catch up without feeling guilty about not leaving the house 
.
. I think we're really losing touch with each other because of all these online platforms 
. I mean, have you ever had a deep conversation with your friends when everyone's on their phones? 
It's just not the same as being able to read each other's body language and stuff like that 
. Like, think about it - if everyone just took the time to talk to each other, we'd be way less stressed and anxious, I'm sure 
. It's not that hard to put down your phone and just chat with someone for a bit 
.
. Maybe we can even start a school club or something to encourage people to socialize more? 
. It got me thinking about how we humans are really disconnected from the world around us. We spend most of our time staring at screens or stuck in traffic, missing out on all the beauty and wonder that's right outside our doors 
. And you know what? I think it's kind of cool when people make an effort to meet new people in person. Like, have you ever tried attending a music festival or concert with a group of strangers who are all there for the same reason 
? It's like this whole community comes together and you're all just vibing off each other's energy 
. Anyway, I guess what I'm saying is that sometimes I think we need to get out more and experience the world in a different way... but then again, have you ever tried trying to get any sleep with Netflix on? 
I've had friends who were really down after moving to a new city and not having their social circle around them. But on the flip side, online communities can be pretty great too... like I have some amazing online friends from all over the world! 
. I'm all for online socialising, but let's be real, it can't replace the real thing 
, but I do think we need to make a conscious effort to upgrade our interactions whenever possible 
.
. And yeah, maybe you're an introvert and that sounds like way too much work 
all the likes and comments and followers can't replace actual face-to-face conversations or bonding over shared experiences 
perhaps we can use technology to make it easier to connect with others, like video calls or online communities that feel more like in-person gatherings 
The whole 'post-interaction world' thing is so true - have you noticed how quiet and empty public spaces are lately? 
It's like people would rather interact with their devices than human beings! 
Just yesterday, I had a conversation with my friend about how we're always online, even when we're supposed to be "relaxing". And now you mention it, I realize I'm not alone in that habit. 
. It's like we're missing out on so much by spending too much time online. But you know what? I'm not a fan of being alone either... sometimes a good Netflix binge is just what I need