Want to Be Healthier and Happier? Focus on Social Fitness
By Annie Barrett

What makes a life fulfilling and meaningful? According to The Good Life: Lessons from the World’s Longest Scientific Study of Happiness by Harvard psychiatrist Robert Waldinger, the answer is simple: relationships.

In an interview with NPR, Waldinger was asked what one thing people can do to be happier. His answer? “Invest in relationships with other people.”

He explains, “We found that the strongest predictors of who not only stayed happy but also stayed healthy as they went through life were the warmth and quality of their relationships.”

And it’s not just about close friendships or family. Waldinger emphasizes that we benefit from a wide range of interactions: with coworkers, neighbors, acquaintances, even the barista at our local café. These small, everyday exchanges give us little hits of well-being and help us feel more socially connected—what researchers refer to as social fitness.

Relationships are also powerful stress regulators. While chronic stress can wear down the body and mind, strong social connections help relieve stress and bring us back to balance.

So how can you improve your social fitness?

Waldinger suggests two simple starting points:

1. Reach out to someone. Think of a person you miss or haven’t seen in a while. Send a quick text, an email, or give them a call.
2. Bring others into what you already enjoy. Love hiking, cooking, music, or crafting? Invite someone to join you.

Personally, I’ve been making a habit of reaching out to old friends—starting with a short message and then making a plan to meet up. I’m also bringing people into my favorite pastimes, whether that’s gathering for a homemade meal, planning a group hike, or enjoying live music together.

Social connection doesn’t have to be complicated. A small effort can ripple outward in big ways.

What’s one small step you could take to strengthen your social fitness?

Feel free to drop me a note—I’d love to hear from you.