Across the country, feelings of social isolation are, unfortunately, becoming more common. So much so that the American Psychological Association (APA) recently referred to loneliness and emotional disconnection as “a defining feature” of life in America. In the APA’s 2025 Stress in America survey, more than half of Americans said they felt isolated from others, and many reported feeling left out or lacking companionship.
As more people spend less time interacting face-to-face, the impacts of loneliness give cause for concern. According to the Cleveland Clinic, social isolation can raise a person’s risk for high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, dementia, anxiety, depression and suicide. In fact, in 2023, Attorney General Vivek Murthy famously compared the negative health consequences of loneliness to smoking 15 cigarettes a day.
The silver lining to all of this is that loneliness can be reversible. While it can feel all-consuming, there are steps that you can take to connect with others and break the cycle. One good place to start could benefit you as well as your community: volunteering.
Why volunteering may help strengthen social connections
When a person gives freely of their time, whether they’re helping to build a home, walking dogs at an animal shelter or distributing food at a food pantry, they’re engaging with their community on some level. Along the way, they may find that they learn new skills, listen to different perspectives, find a sense of purpose and meet new friends. All of these things can help boost a person’s mood and even improve the way they feel about themselves. While research on the impact of volunteering and social connectedness is fairly limited, we were able to find some inspiring insights to consider on the matter:
Older volunteers report feeling less lonely. According to a survey by AmeriCorps of volunteers 55 and older, 88% of those who felt a lack of companionship before volunteering said they experienced fewer feelings of isolation after participating with the organization. Further, 84% reported stable or improving health after one year of service.
Younger people can benefit as well. Young generations are in no way immune to the loneliness epidemic. And, similar to other age groups, research shows that volunteering may help. One study found that adolescent volunteers were less likely to have difficulties with making and keeping friends, and they were also less likely to have behavior problems. The research suggests that volunteering offers an escape from an individual’s own problems, which may support better behavior.
Volunteering regularly may matter. In a study published in the Journal of Gerontological Social Work, researchers studying volunteering and loneliness followed up with a group of older adults for 12 years. The participants were classified into three groups: those who didn’t volunteer; those who volunteered for less than 100 hours a year; those who volunteered for more than 100 hours a year. They found that volunteering 100+ hours was associated with a lower risk of loneliness compared with all of the others. In other words, dabbling in volunteering may not have the same benefits as committing to it fully.
Some doctors are prescribing it. A “social prescription” refers to a non-medical activity that a doctor encourages a patient to engage in. In recent years, interest in this area has risen in the U.S. as well as in Canada, Australia and across Europe, where some health care providers are writing their patients “prescriptions” to volunteer, in hopes of seeing improvements in areas such as life satisfaction, social interaction, coping, mental health and more.
It enables natural opportunities to meet people. By its nature, volunteering draws people with shared interests who are working towards a common goal. And because volunteers often meet up on a regular schedule, you get to know the people around you. Even if you don’t become close friends right away, you’re still making an impact and contributing to your community together.
Ready to get started?
Not all volunteer opportunities are equal! If you’re looking to connect with your community and find new friends, here are some ideas on how to begin.
- Reach out to an organization that you value. Many non-profits will have a section on their website highlighting volunteer opportunities. Not sure where to begin? See if there’s a volunteer-matching website in your area and sign up.
- Be realistic in your commitment. It’s OK to dip your toes in when you first start volunteering for an organization. It’s important to see if they’re a match for you and vice versa. If you decide it’s a good fit, work towards becoming a regular volunteer. That way, you’ll learn the ropes and you’ll also get acquainted with the other regular volunteers.
- Put your best self forward. Remember, you’re not just there to get the work done and go home. You’re there to meet people, learn, make a difference and have fun. Ask questions, dole out compliments and don’t forget to smile as you do the work. Afterward, reflect on how you feel. Is this something that could become a part of your routine? If so, put it on your calendar and keep showing up.
While there’s no single cause for the increase in loneliness, researchers point to technology, insufficient time with family, feeling overworked or tired, mental health challenges, living in an individualistic society and the absence of religious and spiritual life. When you spend time volunteering, you’re actively choosing to put down your device, open yourself up to new experiences and, potentially, walk away with a new sense of purpose—and maybe even new friends.
