About the Author: Karol Domagalski is a tech and health entrepreneur and the founder of New Zapiens, Europe's largest community and review platform for longevity, wellness, and preventive health.
The question of how social networks affect human life expectancy is a complex field of research that brings together various disciplines such as sociology, epidemiology, and health sciences.
New studies have shown that the type, quality, and extent of personal social relationships have a direct impact on health and life expectancy.
It is as if we are wired for connection – our bodies and minds demonstrably benefit from strong social networks, while loneliness takes a toll on our health. In terms of life expectancy, our relationships with other people are like an external booster.
Reduced risk of early death
For example, it is relatively clearly established that the structure, diversity, and stability of social contacts influence the risk of early death, with good social relationships protecting health and reducing the risk of premature death (Olsen et al., 1991; Gan et al, 2025; Bhatia et al., 2023).
Fragmented social networks and poor social relationships, on the other hand, increase the risk of early death. Both the quantity and quality of interpersonal relationships therefore have a major impact on life expectancy (Hobbs et al., 2016).
Biological explanations
The possible explanations for the link between longevity and our social networks are quite multifaceted. First, we can look at the biological foundations. When we come into contact with people close to us, the body releases feel-good hormones such as oxytocin and other neuroendocrine substances that can reduce stress and strengthen the immune system, while chronic stress is known to have devastating effects on health (Mariotti, 2015).
Furthermore, the microorganisms in our gut may play a role in the beneficial effects of social networks. When we are more socially connected, the diversity of our gut microbiome increases, which is associated with better immune function and reduced inflammation.
You can learn more about longevity in connection with testosterone in our article "Testosterone and Longevity: How Hormone Levels Affect Our Quality of Life".
Mental well-being benefits
In addition, our mental well-being benefits from strong social networks, while loneliness can lead to increased stress, anxiety, and even depression, with corresponding disadvantages for physical health and life expectancy (Lapane et al., 2022). A stable social environment provides emotional support and helps develop coping strategies for life crises, which can prevent depression and anxiety disorders.
And our friends and partners can also encourage and support us to live healthier - whether by attending the next yoga class with us or by pointing out the need for a doctor's appointment if we have any symptoms.
Improving health through social contacts
This is how health and life expectancy benefit in various ways from strong social networks. And improving social relationships or social inclusion can significantly increase quality of life and also life expectancy (Viola et al., 2024). Not only the presence of social contacts, but also their quality (reliability and emotional depth), is decisive for the positive effects.
Which specific characteristics of social networks have the strongest impact on life expectancy, and how interventions can be specifically designed to strengthen social networks for the benefit of health, remain the most exciting research questions in this area (Harvard University, 2023).
However, there is already much in favor of nurturing our relationships with other people for the benefit of our own life expectancy (Cambieri, 2024).
Here are some tips on how to not only improve social contacts, but also achieve further health benefits:
1. Shared meals and cooking groups
Eating together puts you in a good mood, promotes interaction and a sense of belonging, and at the same time, the quality of nutrition can benefit significantly. Studies show that eating together with friends or family strengthens mental well-being and leads to a more conscious choice of food. Regular shared meals are also demonstrably associated with a lower risk of unhealthy eating habits, especially in children and adolescents.
Thus, cooking and eating together has a positive effect on nutritional quality and social connection. Regular cooking evenings with friends and acquaintances or attending cooking classes are good options here to simultaneously improve nutrition and social contacts, which ultimately also benefits life expectancy.
2. Exercising together
Physical activity strengthens health in many ways, and exercising together also promotes social bonds. Whether playing tennis, football, yoga, or aqua aerobics together – every form of group physical activity can make a contribution here. Local club offerings or various online platforms offer good opportunities to network.
3. Social media and online communities
Digital networking can also help improve social contacts (Hobbs et al., 2016) and ideally connect this with health topics. Whether special groups on Instagram, Facebook, and Co. or online portals such as New Zapiens – the possibilities of exchanging ideas with like-minded people on health topics are virtually limitless today.
Our conclusion, your knowledge
Social contacts and our health go hand in hand, and thus life expectancy can also benefit significantly from good social networks. In particular, the possibilities of networking online are virtually limitless. However, it remains to be considered that not only the quantity of social contacts, but above all the quality, is of crucial importance.
