What Kind Of Social Interaction Is Best For Your Health? 

Now, more than ever, people are experiencing the link between social interaction and well-being. While phone calls, group video chats, and even video dates seemed to increase during quarantine, feelings of isolation and loneliness have, too. 

"Loneliness and isolation can worsen physical pain, depression, and immunity," says Nina Vasan, M.D., MBA, psychiatrist and Chief Medical Officer of Real. "It increases the risk of diseases1 like infections, heart disease, high blood pressure, and dementia."

Social connection, on the other hand, has been linked to longevity. For instance, when studying the Blue Zones—the five regions of the world where people live the longest—researcher Dan Buettner found tight-knit, uplifting friendships to be a major factor in health and longevity. 

Social connection decreases feelings of loneliness, which can lead to depression2, sleep problems, and alcohol abuse.

While everyone has different interests, psychologist Perpetua Neo, DClinPsy, recommends these general social interactions for different personality types.

According to Vasan, in-person social connections are ideal since they engage all of the body's five senses. If possible, she recommends safely meeting up with friends outdoors and with a mask.

That said, video chat, phone calls, and letters are still beneficial tools for social connection and mental health. Anyone with a greater risk of illness from COVID-19, who is living with someone who's vulnerable, or who is not yet comfortable with social-distance meetups, should consider these alternatives.

"While vicarious or indirect experiences of social contact are not the same as direct experiences," Parker says, "they can and do have an impact on our moods."