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Loneliness and social isolation are increasingly recognized as critical public health issues. Pete Bombaci, founder of the GenWell Project, highlights a crucial distinction: “Loneliness itself is not a crisis. Loneliness is a beautiful thing. It’s the body in the brain recognizing that we are lacking human interaction with other people.”
Bombaci’s point is vital.
Perhaps we should be reframing loneliness as a signal rather than an endpoint.
Research supports the need to address these signals proactively. A study by the National Institute on Aging indicates that social isolation significantly increases a person’s risk of premature death from all causes. This risk may rival those of smoking, obesity, and physical inactivity. The Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) also links loneliness to higher rates of mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression.
Indeed, loneliness and isolation should be viewed as harbingers and not the final destination.
Technology: Friend or Foe?
Technology’s role in social connection is double-edged. Bombaci acknowledges its benefits, stating, “Technology can be a wonderful tool for us to build social connection, but we need to recognize it as a supplement. It is not a replacement for human interaction.”
While platforms like social media can connect us across distances, they can also contribute to passive, superficial interactions that do not fulfill our deeper social needs. Hello, digital echo chamber and the lure of dopamine hits?
A report from the Pew Research Center reveals that while technology can enhance communication, it often replaces more meaningful face-to-face interactions, contributing to feelings of loneliness and isolation. Bombaci advocates for a balanced approach, leveraging technology to enhance rather than replace real-world interactions.
The Role of Community and Workplace Connections
Building strong community ties is essential for fostering a sense of belonging and support. It’s a point that organizations—and their senior leaders—really need to grasp. Bombaci cites research indicating that over 50% of Canadians feel lonely regularly, with significant numbers across all demographics. The GenWell Project addresses this by organizing events and campaigns encouraging people to connect with their neighbors and communities.
Back in the workplace, fostering a culture of connection can lead to numerous benefits. Bombaci explains, “The relationships that we have with our employees and with our peers in the workplace can have as important an impact on your happiness and your reduced sense of loneliness as relationships with our own family and friends.”
Business leaders must recognize the profound impact that workplace relationships have on employee well-being and productivity. To achieve this, companies should implement comprehensive strategies that prioritize human connection.
For instance, TELUS has launched an innovative series called Compassionate Connections, identifying ways people can work alongside one another with compassion while exploring the positive impacts on mental health.
Author Jon Clifton shows that employees who have close friends at work are more engaged, more productive, and more likely to stay with their company. Leaders should be thinking of creating environments that facilitate these connections through regular activities, mentorship programs, and open-door touchpoints that encourage interaction at all levels of the organization.
Integrating social connection into workplace wellness programs—like how TELUS demonstrates—can significantly improve mental health and job satisfaction. According to a study published in the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, employees who engage in social activities at work report lower stress levels and higher job satisfaction.
Moving Forward: A Call to Action
The GenWell Project’s mission is clear: to make human connection a conscious, intentional part of our daily lives.
Pete Bombaci
Bombaci’s advice is simple yet profound: “Talk to strangers… the simple act of actually saying hello to a stranger doesn’t only make you happier and healthier, it makes the other person happier and healthier too.” We can collectively build a more connected, compassionate society by fostering these small but significant interactions.
Loneliness Awareness Week, commencing June 10 globally, offers a perfect opportunity to start making these connections. Why not start thinking about “Random Acts of Connection” at work and in the community, encouraging those we lead or love to engage in simple, everyday interactions that help us feel happier and more connected.
Watch the full interview with Pete Bombaci and Dan Pontefract on the Leadership NOW program below, or listen to it on your favorite podcast.
