Social Contacts
The impact of sufficient social interaction on brain health.
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When we think about brain health, many people think of nutrition, exercise, or mental exercises. Less often, we think of something very everyday: contact with other people. However, large studies show that social contacts play a significant role in how our brain ages.
People who feel lonely for extended periods or have few social contacts have a clearly higher chance of cognitive decline and dementia. In some studies, this difference increases by up to several tens of percent.
Therefore, social connectedness is included as an independent factor for brain health in the latest versions of the LIBRA score.
What do we mean by social contacts?
It's not just about the number of people you know, but especially about the quality and frequency of contact. Several factors play a role in this:
How often you have contact with others, either in person or remotely
Whether you have someone you can turn to when things get tough
Whether you consistently feel lonely, even when you do have people around you
Someone can know many people and still feel lonely. Conversely, a small network can be sufficient as long as there is a true connection.
Why are social connections important for your brain?
Social contacts influence your brain health through various pathways.
Less stress and less inflammation
Prolonged loneliness acts as a form of chronic stress. It increases stress hormones and inflammatory processes in the body. Both are unfavorable for brain health and are associated with faster cognitive decline.
Cognitive stimulation
Engaging in conversation demands a lot from your brain. You listen, remember, respond, adjust, and switch perspectives. This stimulates memory, language, and attention and contributes to cognitive reserve, the buffer that helps you stay sharp longer.
Healthier behavior
People with a social network exercise more often, eat healthier, and seek help for complaints sooner. Social contacts act as a kind of support for healthy behavior, often without you realizing it.
Emotional support
Contact with others helps in processing setbacks and emotions. This reduces the chance of prolonged melancholy and sleep problems, which in turn are unfavorable for the brain.
Common Misunderstandings
“I am introverted, so social contacts are less important to me”
Being introverted mainly means that you gain energy from solitude and one-on-one contact. It doesn't say anything about the need for connection. Even introverted people benefit from a few reliable, meaningful relationships.
“Online contact doesn't count”
Digital contact is often less rich than physical contact but can certainly be valuable. Especially video calls or phone calls with real attention can contribute to a sense of connection. Passive scrolling or comparing, on the other hand, works counterproductively.
“A partner is enough”
A partner is important, but research shows that variety in contacts provides extra protection. Contact with friends, family, neighbors, or a group offers different kinds of stimuli and support.
“If I feel lonely, it's my own fault”
Loneliness is not a weakness or a personal failure. It is a signal that something is missing, just like hunger or fatigue. Taking it seriously is a form of self-care.
What can you do to strengthen social connections yourself?
You don't have to build a hectic social life. Small, suitable steps already make a difference.
Start small and concrete
If you currently have little contact, having one real conversation a day or every few days is an achievement. It can be a phone call, a short walk, or having coffee together.
Connect contact to daily activities
Walking, shopping, or cooking together lowers the barrier. You don’t need to specially organize something to see each other.
Seek out regular moments
Regular phone appointments or recurring meetings provide structure and make contact less dependent on motivation or energy.
Join existing groups
Group activities are associated with a lower risk of cognitive decline, according to research. Think of walking groups, book clubs, singing, volunteering, or courses. Small groups often feel more comfortable than large ones.
Stay in touch, even when it gets harder
With hearing problems, reduced mobility, or fatigue, it’s extra important to find ways that do work. Quiet environments, smaller groups, or digital contact can help.
When is additional support beneficial?
If reaching out feels increasingly difficult due to gloominess, anxiety, or uncertainty, it could be a sign that more is going on. In that case, it is wise to discuss it with your doctor. Support can help lower barriers and restore momentum in social interactions and daily life.
In short
Social contacts are not just an afterthought but a vital component of brain health. Regular and meaningful interactions help reduce stress, keep your brain active, and support healthy behaviors. You don’t need a large network. A few genuine connections, in a way that suits you, can make a real difference in how your brain ages.
The most important modifiable factors
At Remind, we've gathered the 15 most important modifiable factors for you. You can view each one individually and read about ways to manage them:
Share this article
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Remind help me to recognize changes in my brain in a timely manner?
Is Remind the same as a medical examination or diagnosis?
How reliable are the tests used by Remind?
What happens to my data? Is someone listening or reading along?
What does my Remind Brain Age mean for me?
Social Contacts
The impact of sufficient social interaction on brain health.
Share this article
When we think about brain health, many people think of nutrition, exercise, or mental exercises. Less often, we think of something very everyday: contact with other people. However, large studies show that social contacts play a significant role in how our brain ages.
People who feel lonely for extended periods or have few social contacts have a clearly higher chance of cognitive decline and dementia. In some studies, this difference increases by up to several tens of percent.
Therefore, social connectedness is included as an independent factor for brain health in the latest versions of the LIBRA score.
What do we mean by social contacts?
It's not just about the number of people you know, but especially about the quality and frequency of contact. Several factors play a role in this:
How often you have contact with others, either in person or remotely
Whether you have someone you can turn to when things get tough
Whether you consistently feel lonely, even when you do have people around you
Someone can know many people and still feel lonely. Conversely, a small network can be sufficient as long as there is a true connection.
Why are social connections important for your brain?
Social contacts influence your brain health through various pathways.
Less stress and less inflammation
Prolonged loneliness acts as a form of chronic stress. It increases stress hormones and inflammatory processes in the body. Both are unfavorable for brain health and are associated with faster cognitive decline.
Cognitive stimulation
Engaging in conversation demands a lot from your brain. You listen, remember, respond, adjust, and switch perspectives. This stimulates memory, language, and attention and contributes to cognitive reserve, the buffer that helps you stay sharp longer.
Healthier behavior
People with a social network exercise more often, eat healthier, and seek help for complaints sooner. Social contacts act as a kind of support for healthy behavior, often without you realizing it.
Emotional support
Contact with others helps in processing setbacks and emotions. This reduces the chance of prolonged melancholy and sleep problems, which in turn are unfavorable for the brain.
Common Misunderstandings
“I am introverted, so social contacts are less important to me”
Being introverted mainly means that you gain energy from solitude and one-on-one contact. It doesn't say anything about the need for connection. Even introverted people benefit from a few reliable, meaningful relationships.
“Online contact doesn't count”
Digital contact is often less rich than physical contact but can certainly be valuable. Especially video calls or phone calls with real attention can contribute to a sense of connection. Passive scrolling or comparing, on the other hand, works counterproductively.
“A partner is enough”
A partner is important, but research shows that variety in contacts provides extra protection. Contact with friends, family, neighbors, or a group offers different kinds of stimuli and support.
“If I feel lonely, it's my own fault”
Loneliness is not a weakness or a personal failure. It is a signal that something is missing, just like hunger or fatigue. Taking it seriously is a form of self-care.
What can you do to strengthen social connections yourself?
You don't have to build a hectic social life. Small, suitable steps already make a difference.
Start small and concrete
If you currently have little contact, having one real conversation a day or every few days is an achievement. It can be a phone call, a short walk, or having coffee together.
Connect contact to daily activities
Walking, shopping, or cooking together lowers the barrier. You don’t need to specially organize something to see each other.
Seek out regular moments
Regular phone appointments or recurring meetings provide structure and make contact less dependent on motivation or energy.
Join existing groups
Group activities are associated with a lower risk of cognitive decline, according to research. Think of walking groups, book clubs, singing, volunteering, or courses. Small groups often feel more comfortable than large ones.
Stay in touch, even when it gets harder
With hearing problems, reduced mobility, or fatigue, it’s extra important to find ways that do work. Quiet environments, smaller groups, or digital contact can help.
When is additional support beneficial?
If reaching out feels increasingly difficult due to gloominess, anxiety, or uncertainty, it could be a sign that more is going on. In that case, it is wise to discuss it with your doctor. Support can help lower barriers and restore momentum in social interactions and daily life.
In short
Social contacts are not just an afterthought but a vital component of brain health. Regular and meaningful interactions help reduce stress, keep your brain active, and support healthy behaviors. You don’t need a large network. A few genuine connections, in a way that suits you, can make a real difference in how your brain ages.
The most important modifiable factors
At Remind, we've gathered the 15 most important modifiable factors for you. You can view each one individually and read about ways to manage them:
Share this article
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Remind help me to recognize changes in my brain in a timely manner?
Is Remind the same as a medical examination or diagnosis?
How reliable are the tests used by Remind?
What happens to my data? Is someone listening or reading along?
What does my Remind Brain Age mean for me?