While the pursuit of longevity often involves high-tech gadgets, supplements, and rigorous routines, experts are highlighting a simpler, free, and scientifically-backed approach: social connection and enjoyment.
Dr. Eric Verdin, president and CEO of the Buck Institute for Research on Aging, suggests that the intense focus on biohacking trends like continuous monitoring, cold plunges, and elaborate supplement stacks may be overlooking a fundamental driver of health. "You can’t buy it, track it on a wearable, or optimize it into a protocol — so the longevity-as-engineering crowd tends to skip past it, but the biology is real," Verdin stated. He emphasizes that loneliness and isolation can lead to chronic stress, which in turn fuels inflammation—a core mechanism of aging.
The data supports this viewpoint. Individuals who feel a sense of community are 2.6 times more likely to report good or excellent health compared to those without. Loneliness has been shown to increase the risk of premature death by over a quarter, with one analysis finding a 26% higher mortality risk among lonely individuals. Another study indicated that social relationships can improve survival odds by 50%, a benefit potentially more significant than maintaining a healthy weight and more impactful than smoking up to 15 cigarettes daily.
Social connections can encourage healthier behaviors and provide a sense of purpose. "When someone is connected to a group and feels responsibility for other people, that sense of purpose and meaning translates to taking better care of themselves and taking fewer risks," explained BYU professor Julianne Holt-Lunstad. While her research encompassed all social connections, Verdin notes that negative interactions can also accelerate aging by keeping the stress response chronically activated, leading to inflammation.
Despite its importance, social isolation has increased, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. In the United States, young men report higher levels of loneliness compared to their peers in other developed nations. Polls indicate a growing number of Americans, especially younger men, experience loneliness, and a significant percentage report having no close friends, a figure that has risen since 1990.
Gerontologist Dr. Kerry Burnight introduced the concept of "joyspan," referring to the years lived with high quality of life, well-being, and satisfaction. She defines joy not as luck or temperament but as a learnable skill built on practices of growing, connecting, adapting, and giving. "Connection isn’t the soft stuff around the edges of longevity; it’s the engine," Burnight said.
Events like "longevity raves," which combine music, dance, and community, are exploring the science of human connection and its impact on aging. These gatherings aim to foster synchrony and reduce stress, leading to greater trust, belonging, and safety. The movement suggests a rejection of the idea that health must be a solitary and joyless pursuit.
Experts recommend treating relationships with the same intentionality as exercise, scheduling and protecting social interactions. "Frequency and consistency matter more than intensity—regular, in-person contact with people you actually care about beats occasional grand gestures," Verdin advised. He suggests maintaining old friendships, finding shared activities, and seeking opportunities to feel needed.
Balancing social activities with health routines involves making conscious choices. While occasional late nights with loved ones can be beneficial for stress reduction, chronic sleep deprivation should be avoided. Regarding alcohol, Verdin acknowledges that while a glass of wine is not inherently healthy, the goal of life is not maximum longevity but a long life that is worth living, implying that occasional enjoyment plays a role in overall well-being.