According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 1 in 4 older people are experiencing social isolation. Additionally, an estimated 5 to 15 percent of adolescents are experiencing loneliness. The solution to solving this epidemic may be closer than expected; your neighbors! Living in a close-knit community helps eliminate a number of problems faced.

Loneliness Epidemic No More

A study from 1992 in Roseto, Pennsylvania has highlighted the positive effects of being involved in your community. This study found that strongly connected towns’ people experienced far less stress and heart disease than the average population. A followup study found that it was attributed to the community the people had built. This study proves that not only can being in a close-knit community help eliminate the feeling of loneliness, but also employ additional benefits such as reduced stress levels, which play a factor in improving mental health. 

Increased Safety and Security

As you grow to know your neighbors, you become willing to look out for each other. This means alerts on suspicious activity, watching over packages, and potentially even house sitting. Safety is also increased indirectly, as knowing the people that live around you lowers the chance of gun violence. This brings peace of mind regarding the safety of the community you’re in.

Relationship Builder

As depicted in Friends, strong relationships are built from simply being neighbors. Your neighbors could serve as support systems during times of both hardship and joy. Striking up conversation may seem nerve-racking but is surprisingly simple. Setting up a neighborhood gathering, joining in on local activities, or even simply talking in passing are all first steps in creating friendships.

Overall

It’s in every aspect beneficial to engage with your neighbors. Not only bettering your mental health, but providing comfort in safety, and building strong, long lasting relationships. It’s imperative we know our community. Our neighbors are the unexpected solution to our loneliness epidemic. After all, who’s closer to you than your neighbors?