Why Social Connections Matter

Three years into this pandemic, one thing is clear - we are forever changed from this lived experience. Thankfully, our worst fears are receding as we create a new sense of normalcy, but life today is different, in small and large ways, from the Before Times.

In some ways, pandemic-related changes have improved our lives. We learned new technologies.? We adapted and pivoted, and grew comfortable with uncertainty. We experimented with new ways of doing things, from ordering food delivery to getting together virtually with loved ones. Despite all the trauma, we witnessed tremendous creativity and adaptability.

Some shifts are more concerning, however. Researchers are finding that the pandemic disrupted our collective psyche, with lingering ramifications. For example, emerging research suggests that our personalities have changed: we are less extroverted than before, as well as less agreeable and open (three of the Big Five personality traits associated with well being). While these changes were more pronounced in young adults versus older adults, it is still a remarkable finding, given the stability of personality over time.

We are also seeing pervasive disruptions in our routines. During the pandemic, we spent hours in our homes. We got out of the habit of going out, socializing, and attending community events. As our habits shifted, our priorities for socialization adjusted as well. About 35% of Americans reported that socializing and going out was less important to them now than before the pandemic, according to a Pew Research study.?

The aftereffect, as Arthur Brooks wrote in a recent article in The Atlantic, is that we learned to be lonely. According to Brooks, “Instead of coming together, emerging evidence suggests that we are in the midst of a long-term crisis of habitual loneliness, in which relationships were severed and never reestablished.”

This trend is especially concerning for older adults. The evidence is clear: social isolation increases the risk of a host of conditions, including heart disease and stroke, depression and anxiety, and dementia. Loneliness as a risk factor is on par with light smoking and obesity Put bluntly, loneliness is fatal.

These trends remind us that we need to combat inertia and prioritize relationships, friendships, and community.

As a learning community, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at the University of Minnesota is an ideal place to do this ? to connect, socialize and deepen relationships.?Our curriculum is educational and fun (see the OLLI website to view our current Course Guide).

Here are some steps you can take to expand your social networks through OLLI.

Join us! With hundreds of noncredit courses a year, there is something for everyone. Choose from a variety of courses each term, in history, current affairs, art, science, and more. Courses are offered in-person and virtually. OLLI also hosts special interest groups, book clubs, and events. The $300 annual membership fee is your ticket to lifelong learning and connection. We also have scholarships for those who need it.

Introduce yourself to others. A learning community makes it easy to get to know other people. As a course participant, you and others in the course share interest in a subject matter, so you already have something in common. Introduce yourself! Expand your sense of connection through active class participation.

Gather in person if you can. OLLI hosts a range of in-person courses that invite social connection. Some are small (e.g., Secrets of the Library, Paint with Nature) and encourage interaction. If you are avoiding in-person gatherings, consider an outdoor course (e.g., West Metro Master Gardener Tour). Many OLLI courses are designed with fun and connection in mind (e.g., Brewpub Tours and Tastes).?

Virtual counts. Virtual connections provide you with social connection as well! Researchers found that, at the height of the pandemic, virtual connections reduced loneliness and increased a sense of belonging. OLLI's virtual curriculum offers many fascinating courses from which to choose. Make a point of participating when possible.?

Join a Special Interest Group. OLLI SIGs are designed specifically for connection. OLLI hosts both in person and virtual SIGs. Whether you enjoy birds (Intermittent Birders), music (Jazz Appreciation: The OLLI Cats, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra) or sports (Sports Huddle), there is a SIG for everyone. If you don’t see a SIG of interest, consider starting a SIG yourself.

Volunteer. Volunteering is a great way to build friendships and channel your talents in ways that are rewarding for you while contributing to the community. Whether you want to lead a course or support one, serve on a committee or the Advisory Board, there are many ways to get involved in OLLI.?

Here’s to a vibrant, connected and engaged OLLI community!