Social Isolation: The Importance of Joining
Every so often, a book comes along that shifts your perspective, opening doors in your mind you didn’t even know were closed. One of those books is Bowling Alone by Robert Putnam.
Putnam spent years conducting extensive research to measure what he calls “social capital.” So, what exactly is social capital? It’s the importance of building meaningful, reciprocal relationships within your community – in other words, positive networking.
Why is this important? Arguably, social capital is one of the most crucial elements of a happy, healthy, and thriving community. Think about places like the Knights of Columbus, the Legion, your local YMCA, or senior center. What purpose do they serve? They bring people together, fostering a sense of belonging and enriching the community. “Power in numbers” isn’t just a saying; it’s a truth that plays out in these spaces every day.
Lifelong bonds are formed in exercise classes, community events, and fundraisers at these centers. They not only offer a place to gather but also cultivate positive feelings. It might sound cliché, but there’s little that compares to the joy of working together with others for a common cause, building connections, and strengthening your community ties.
Putnam argues that we’ve lost this sense of community and that it’s essential we reclaim it. The health and success of our communities—and even our personal well-being—depend on it. He writes, “The dominant theme is simple: For the first two-thirds of the twentieth century, a powerful tide bore Americans into ever deeper engagement in the life of their communities. But a few decades ago—silently, without warning, that tide reversed, and we were overtaken by a treacherous rip current. Without noticing, we’ve been pulled apart from one another and from our communities over the last third of the century.”
Essentially, we’ve become “alone together.”
Putnam argues that strong social connections and networks are crucial for building social capital and creating a sense of community. Civic engagement, voting, participating in community organizations, and volunteering—helps to strengthen social capital, build trust, and improve overall well-being. Increased civic participation leads to better social support and a healthier society.
Putnam also states, “A successful democracy requires active participation and engagement from its citizens.”
Could this idea be extended to individual well-being as well? After all, it takes a village, right? While it might sound like another cliché, there’s truth to it. Social isolation can be just as damaging to an individual as it is to a community. If a network is essential for a strong community, then it stands to reason that a similar network is crucial for personal health and happiness.
We need each other. And there’s nothing wrong with that! There’s nothing wrong with meeting that friend from your water aerobics class for coffee, or with making a connection with the person who sits next to you at a Saturday morning volunteer event.
In fact, it’s vital to your well-being.
But here’s the key: you have to take that first step and put yourself out there. Join that walking club, volunteer at the voting polls—just get involved. Join.
Years of thoughtful research from a renowned Yale graduate political scientist culminated in this powerful message: “Joining” builds both successful communities and healthy individuals. If building reciprocal networks is vital for the happiness, health, and financial well-being of communities, then it follows that the same applies to individuals.
Don’t bowl alone – get out there and join, your health depends on it!
