In today’s tech-driven world, face-to-face interactions have taken a backseat to digital connections. The pandemic only deepened our reliance on screens, pulling us further away from in-person socializing. There’s growing evidence that encourages us to counter this trend and step away from technology in favour of real-life social interactions for the sake of our mental health and overall well-being.
The Link Between Social Media and Mental Health
Since 2010, studies in the U.S. have pointed to a troubling trend: as social media use has grown, so too have rates of depression in young people. While digital platforms offer emotional support through likes, comments, and messages, this type of interaction doesn’t seem to provide the same mental health benefits as spending time with others in person. Digital communication, although convenient, often lacks the depth and authenticity of in-person connections, leaving emotional needs unmet.
The Power of Face-to-Face Interaction
In-person socialization has unique mental and physical health benefits that technology cannot replicate. Research highlights its protective effects against depression and its role in fostering emotional well-being. For older adults, face-to-face interaction is more effective in reducing depression compared to emails or phone calls. Spending time with others also comes with broader health benefits.
- Improved memory and attention:
In-person socializing stimulates attention, memory, and neural networks. - Increases your healthspan:
Regular, in-person connections lower stress, boost immune function, and promote longevity. - Reduced risk of dementia:
Strong social ties can reduce the risk of dementia by up to 50%, particularly for those with greater social participation in mid to late life.
These benefits emphasize the irreplaceable value of physical presence and non-verbal communication in maintaining emotional and physical health. There is even a growing body of literature promoting a ‘connection prescription’, highlighting the importance of socializing to your health, suggesting that assessing in-person interactions and prescribing connection could improve outcomes
Why In-Person Connections Matter
So, why is face-to-face interaction so powerful? Part of the answer lies in micro-expressions—those tiny, involuntary facial movements that signal emotions. These expressions are innate and universal, even among individuals who are blind from birth. They play a critical evolutionary role in helping us interpret social cues, build trust, and form connections. In-person interactions allow us to pick up on these subtle signals, fostering deeper and more meaningful relationships that technology struggles to replicate.
Facial expressions are a big part of how we communicate. They affect how we feel, think, and act around others. For example, people often imitate others’ facial expressions without realizing it, which helps spread emotions. A study found that people are more likely to share happy emotions, while they notice angry emotions but don’t share them as much. It turns out, happiness really can be contagious! Facial expressions can even shape first impressions, sometimes without us being fully aware of it.
Facial expressions also impact decisions and social judgments. For example, happy faces can make us more willing to take risks, while negative ones make us more cautious. Overall, facial expressions play a big role in how we judge, decide, and interact with others. There’s still a lot to learn about how they work, and future research will help us better understand their impact.
Moving Forward: Rebuilding Social Habits
As we navigate a post-pandemic world, it’s worth asking ourselves how we can rebuild habits of in-person connection.
Restoring face-to-face time doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Start small and evaluate your social connections.
- Emotional check-ins: Ask yourself, “How distant are my relationships, and where can I improve?” Consider rekindling or strengthening existing connections.
- Make eye contact: Practice engaging more during in-person conversations, even with strangers.
- Baby steps: Schedule simple activities like coffee with a friend, family dinners without phones, a weekly walk with someone, or encouraging children to spend time socializing offline.
- Tech-free time: Challenge yourself to more phone-free time such as:
- Spending an hour per day completely phone-free.
- Standing in line without using your phone, and instead engaging with your surroundings.
- Interacting with people at checkout counters or during errands.
- Exercising or going for a walk without any devices.
These small efforts prioritize human engagement over convenience, making a big difference in fostering well-being and strengthening relationships.
Moving Beyond the Digital World
Virtual connections are convenient, but they’re not always better for us. As we spend more time in the digital world, it’s worth making an effort to prioritize real-life connections.
It’s not always easy, but carving out time for face-to-face conversations, shared laughs, and genuine eye contact can make a huge difference. These moments strengthen relationships and help us feel more grounded. In a world dominated by screens, finding a balance between virtual and in-person interactions is more important than ever.
If you or someone you care about is finding it difficult to reduce screen time or prioritize in-person activities, your healthcare team is here to provide support. They can help identify the underlying causes of these challenges and work with you to overcome them. Reach out today.
