Why it matters
The Surgeon General's 2023 advisory describes social connection as important to health and well-being and recommends investing in supportive relationships.
That is guidance about connection in general. It is not a treatment for loneliness or for a mental health condition, and it says nothing about how connected you personally are.
Small ways to reach out
- Send one message to someone you have been meaning to contact. A short one counts.
- Call a friend or relative while you take a walk.
- Invite someone for coffee, a meal, or a walk on a regular day.
- Join something built around an interest you already have, such as a garden club, walking group, class, or choir.
- Give your time: volunteering or mentoring can add purpose and people at once.
Make it easier
- Pick one person. It is easier than trying to reconnect with everyone.
- Attach it to something you already do, like a weekly call on a set day.
- Start small. A two-line message is enough.
If reaching out feels hard
It is fine to go slowly. If you are struggling with low mood or feeling very isolated, a clinician or counselor can help. If you are in crisis in the U.S., call or text 988.
Fit after 50 does not assess loneliness or mood, and it never assumes anything about how you feel from what you do on the site.
What this does not tell you
It does not say how many friends you need or what kind of connection is right. That is yours to choose.
Try it today
Small, reviewed steps you can start now. Choose one, or save it for later.
Send one specific check-in
About 5 minutes · Very easy. One message or one short call is enough.
Contact one person with a specific question or a simple invitation to connect.
- How to start
- Choose one person. Write one specific question or invitation, for example: "How did your appointment go?" or "Would you like to take a walk on Saturday?"
- You will need
- A phone or a messaging app.
- How hard
- Very easy. One message or one short call is enough.
- Done when
- You sent the message or made the call.
Involves: contacting other people.
Safety: Choose a person and contact method that feel safe and appropriate to you.
Evidence strength: moderate. General information, not medical advice.
Where to go next
- Walking after 50 A walk with someone counts twice.
- Keeping your mind active after 50
About the evidence on this page
- Review status
- Claims source-checked
- Last updated
- Claims source-checked
- Clinician review
- None recorded. No physician or other licensed clinician has reviewed this page.
Each claim listed below was compared with the named sources. The checks were prepared with AI assistance and the ratings are proposed, pending confirmation by a person. Everything else on this page is general guidance, not a separately reviewed claim.
Claims we checked
- Moderate evidenceInvesting in supportive relationships is recommended for health and well-being.Supportive guidance exists, with more limits or less consistency than a strong rating.Limits: Not a treatment for loneliness or mental illness.
Sources
- Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation, Office of the U.S. Surgeon General (2023)
Limitations
- This is general education, not individualized medical advice.
- Guidelines describe what is advised for adults in general. They are not a prescription for one person.
- Talk with a clinician if you have a health condition, symptoms, or restrictions.
Update history
- : First version published.