The Science Of Connection: How Relationships Impact Mental Health

#SponsoredContent – Written by Ella Rehder & Reviewed by Majesty Purvis, LCMHC

As a dating & social platform, we care deeply about helping our users form meaningful connections that contribute to their well-being. With support from BetterHelp’s Editorial Team, this article aims to teach you more about the impact of connection on your mental health.

Let’s start with the science! Humanity was built for connection. Humans are born with neurotransmitters in the brain that respond positively to healthy touch, love, and care from others. Being solitary can lead to significant adverse health impacts. Understanding the science behind connection and healthy relationships can be a step to increasing positive relationships in your life and valuing the community you live in. 

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What is connection? 

Connection is subjective. The basis of the term “connection” is “the state of being related to someone or something else.” However, in the context of relationships, this term can have a wide variety of meanings. Connection can mean the following: 

• Feeling happy in the presence of another person 
• Trusting a relationship’s safety 
• Being able to be vulnerable with a person about your feelings
• Enjoying another person’s company 
• Experiencing unconditional love 
• Knowing your boundaries are respected by someone you care for 
• Consensually having physical touch with another person 
• Being on the same level as another person intellectually and having positive and productive conversations 

Connection is not necessarily romantic. People can connect with neighbors, community members, family, friends, partners, themselves, and strangers. All of humanity is part of a collective group of individuals who have the power to reach others through actions like conversation, touch, mutual aid, and spiritual practices.

The science of relationships

Significant research has been conducted into the power of relationships and how the body responds to them. For example, thousands of studies have been done on the physical impact of love. Love increases dopamine in the brain, stimulating pleasure centers and allowing individuals to experience infatuation and happiness in relationships. 

Love can also increase oxytocin in the brain, which cements bonds, raises immune function, and increases lifespan. Oxytocin is the same chemical released between a mother and child during the early years of life, showing how early connection ties into adult connections and love. 

Stanford University also reports the impacts of connectedness on the body. They report that social connection: 

• Increases life longevity by 50% 
• Strengthens the immune system
• Reduces disease recovery time 
• Lowers anxiety and depression 
• Increases trust 

Due to these impacts, the opposite is true for those who do not have healthy, fulfilling relationships and experience significant loneliness. According to the US Surgeon General, loneliness has become an “epidemic.” Loneliness can lead to: 

• A 29% increased risk of heart disease
• A 32% risk of stroke
• A 50% risk of dementia 
• A 60% risk of premature death 

Loneliness and being isolated can also cause mental health challenges, leading to higher rates of depression and anxiety. Isolation for those with mental health challenges can lead to suicidal ideation and harmful behavioral patterns. Having healthy relationships can reduce these impacts and potentially better one’s health. 

“Given the significant health consequences of loneliness and isolation, we must prioritize building social connection the same way we have prioritized other critical public health issues, such as tobacco, obesity, and substance use disorders. Together, we can build a country that’s healthier, more resilient, less lonely, and more connected.”

– The US Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy

How to find authentic connections

Individuals experiencing loneliness and lacking social support might find the following resources beneficial in building authentic connections with others.

Hobby groups

Hobby groups offer a way to connect with individuals who enjoy activities or topics similar to yours. Craft groups, book clubs, writing groups, gardening clubs, and other specific meet-up groups may help you make friends. Friendships have been proven to reduce stress and improve mental and physical health.

Identity-based groups

Identity-based groups are a way to meet people who share a critical identity with you, such as your sexuality, gender identity, race, ethnicity, or life experiences. Support groups can also be a way to meet people who have certain identities. For example, LGBTQ+ individuals might look for a queer community center or similar resources in their city.

Events and volunteer work 

Community events can also be a way to meet people. You might consider volunteering to organize an event or volunteering at local non-profits to meet others interested in offering community support for a cause. Lending your time to support others can also offer a connection to a broader community of people, including people you might not meet in other circumstances.

Faith or spiritual groups

Some people benefit from connecting with those who share their spiritual or religious beliefs. Often, places of worship offer support and community for those who attend. If you’re not religious or spiritual, you might find a similar connection through groups that commune with nature or share sentiments of emotion, such as hiking groups, environmental effort clubs, or support groups. You may also find a universal church, allowing anyone with any spiritual or religious beliefs to attend and unite over a general spiritual principle.

The mental health impacts of social connection 

Because thousands of studies have been done on social connection, the mental health impacts of social connection are well established and understood. In a 2022 review of 70 studies from 2015 to 2021, researchers found that social support was associated with lower depression in 82.6% of the studies. They also looked at populations of veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and found that loneliness was associated with higher rates of depression and anxiety disorders. Employees who had reduced levels of perceived support at work also had higher levels of depression. 

Another study in the Journal of Lifestyle Medicine found that social connections can mitigate post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms and improve mental health. The authors recommend that individuals seek quality social interactions over quantity and prioritize education about healthy relationships.

Is it possible to be fulfilled on your own? 

Individuality is often a popular topic in media and philosophy—Can someone experience a fulfilled and happy life on their own? Each person is different, but science shows that people need social connections in some form to remain healthy. 

People have free will, and not all individuals follow a specific path toward a certain type of relationship. Some people may choose to remain single for life, not selecting a life partner. They might focus more on friendships, coworking relationships, or family. Every person decides the unique way they find other people to spend time with—This process might not look like choosing a partner, getting married, having children, and spending your life with another person. Some people may build multiple romantic and sexual relationships simultaneously. 

Fulfillment and mental health can also be found in other avenues. For example, traveling, exercising, exploring the world, and immersing oneself in new cultures can be ways to find joy. Hobbies, classes, and work can also be areas of joy if they are aligned with one’s values and interests. In these cases, people may meet others in their community and meet their social needs by interacting with these individuals, even if other types of relationships aren’t built.

Signs of a healthy relationship 

Relationships are not always healthy, and an unhealthy relationship may be more detrimental to mental health than being alone. When building relationships with others, ensure the relationship has “green flags,” including but not limited to the following: 

• A sense of being safe
• Trust
• Healthy communication where both parties are heard or attempt to repair when conflict arises
• Secure attachment or education about attachment styles and attempts to build a secure connection 
• A sense of flexibility and open-mindedness 
• A lack of physical, emotional, verbal, financial, sexual, and spiritual abuse
• A sense of room for growth, with both individuals encouraging each other to follow dreams and have individuality 
• Patience for each other 
• Reciprocity in efforts to share love and care with each other
• Empathy and compassion 
• An understanding of the “rules” or expectations for the relationship
• Healthy boundaries and a sense of interdependence instead of dependence or complete avoidance 

When individuals are on the same page about their relationship and make efforts to support and love each other, the relationship may be healthier and improve mental health. 

Find professional support in attachment and relationships  

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Support options 

Relationships can be complex, and finding support systems may be difficult in isolated communities or when living with a mental illness like social anxiety disorder or depression. If you’re seeking support with a mental illness, a therapist can be a resource to guide you in evidence-based coping techniques and building a healthy support system.

For those who face barriers to in-person therapy due to anxiety, a lack of therapists in the area, or accessibility challenges, online therapy through a platform like BetterHelp may be more convenient. Through an online platform, clients can use resources like weekly support groups to connect with others. In addition, they can choose between phone, video, or live chat sessions to connect with their therapist, with messaging available throughout the week. 

Studies show that online therapy can significantly reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. In one such study, researchers found that online therapy was more effective than face-to-face options and increased client quality of life. In addition, the intervention was more cost-effective for the participants.

Takeaway 

Connection is essential to human health and wellness, including mental health. Love, connection, and support increase positive neurotransmitters in the brain and reduce stress. In addition, relationships can lengthen one’s lifespan and reduce the risk of illness and inflammation. If you’re struggling with relationships or want advice on making new connections, consider reaching out to a therapist online or in your area.