Rekindling Old Friendships: A Cure for Loneliness?

Millions of Canadians experience loneliness, which negatively impacts both mental and physical health. Research suggests that rekindling old friendships can improve feelings of social connection and happiness. However, people are often reluctant to reach out. Interventions and personality traits may influence the likelihood of reconnecting with old friends.

Millions of Canadians are experiencing a growing sense of loneliness, a condition defined by the World Health Organization as "the social pain of not feeling connected." This isolation is linked to serious health risks, comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

To address this issue, many are advised to seek social connections with loved ones. However, new research published in Communications Psychology considers the value of rekindling old friendships. The study found that people often have 'old friends' they care about but have lost touch with, and suggests strategies to reconnect.

Despite these findings, a reluctance to reach out persists. Experiments show that even when prompted to send a message to an old friend, only 30 percent follow through. The research also highlights that personality traits and values can play a role in overcoming this hesitation, pointing towards targeted interventions as a potential solution.

(With inputs from agencies.)