We are now officially in summer. All complete with its heat and many fun activities!! Summer always brings a sense of coming together with graduations, cookouts, fairs, and festivals. Each of these activities connects us with family, friends, and our community. While we find enjoyment in these connections, they also help to keep us healthy.

Social engagement is an important pillar in our overall health and wellness. In childhood, engaging and attaching socially with family and peers are important milestones as we grow. As we get older, the benefit of social connection is still important. Strong social relationships help to create a sense of belonging, emotional support, and improve our stress management. Social connectedness decreases our risk of chronic illnesses and diseases like heart disease, stroke, dementia, anxiety, and depression. We are also more likely to have healthier eating habits, participate in physical activity, and better-quality sleep when we have strong social connections.

Despite all the benefits, research does show that we are less socially connected now than we were twenty years ago. If we make the effort, we can overcome three of the common obstacles to building our social connections

1. Fear of Social Situations: The fear of rejection and the anxiety of starting a conversation can lead us into social isolation and keep us in loneliness. Some of the ways to combat this is to look for groups and communities that we can connect with that have shared interests or hobbies. Oftentimes, finding that shared interest can spark conversation and relationship. If you struggle with social anxiety, you can speak to a healthcare professional about different therapies that may help.
2. Busyness: we often prioritize our busy schedules, to-do lists, family and work obligations over our friendships and social connections. To overcome this, we can schedule social connections into our busy lives. For example, schedule monthly gatherings with local friends, weekly calls with important relatives, and a daily text to someone you appreciate.
3. Technology: Technology can be helpful by creating connections in ways we never could before. However, it can also be a way for us to avoid the challenges of building meaningful relationships. To overcome this obstacle, we need to make the effort to be present in our social interactions. One example is to put our phones away during a conversation or mealtime.

So, this summer, try to socially engage for your health. Get involved in your community, invite out that friend you haven’t seen in a while, or join a book club. Buckeye Bookworms is offering two One-Night only virtual Book Club events that can fit most busy summer schedules:

The Baking Games will be on Thursday, July 24, 2025

6 – 7:30 PM (EST).

First Lie Wins will be on Thursday, August 28, 2025

6 – 7:30 PM (EST).

Register NOW for either or both books at go.osu.edu/fcsbookclub, and don’t forget to invite your friends, co-workers, family, or neighbors to join as well.

Written by: Aaron Fowler, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University, Greene County, fowler.440@osu.edu.

Reviewed by: Jessica Lowe, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Pickaway County, lowe.495@osu.edu.