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39 results for "social connection"
Paul Vannan K and Varun A are transforming public spaces across Chennai into welcoming chess clubs where strangers connect over friendly games instead of competing for rankings. Their initiative is helping everyone from schoolchildren to retirees rediscover chess as a social hobby rather than a high-pressure sport.
Behavioral scientist Nicholas Epley reveals decades of research showing we dramatically underestimate how much strangers want to connect with us. His simple habit could transform our social lives and combat loneliness. #
After Japan's devastating 2011 tsunami, scientists discovered that the ancient concept of "ibasho" (belonging and social connection) helped survivors recover mentally and rebuild their lives. Communities that fostered these bonds saw better long-term mental health outcomes and reduced dementia risks.
Japan is confronting a growing isolation problem as nearly 77,000 people died alone last year, prompting new government action and grassroots community efforts. Cities are launching "connection cafes" and neighborhood programs to rebuild the social bonds that once protected vulnerable residents.
Scientists at Harvard are uncovering real ways to help people stay healthier as they age, from intermittent fasting to social connection. The research could transform how we experience our later years.
Over 200 NYU students locked their phones away for an evening of real conversation, launching a movement that's spread to 12 countries. Phone-free events skyrocketed 567% globally as young people reclaim connection from screens.
Forgetting names is embarrassing, but one writer found a refreshingly honest solution. His "People" note system turns awkward encounters into confident connections.
An Olympic-recognized young leader in Ghana transformed World Table Tennis Day into a three-day celebration that brought together hundreds of young people from underserved communities. The tournament became a platform for building confidence, mental health, and social connection through sport.
Seven-time ARIA award winner Genesis Owusu is doing something unusual: he's actively seeking out people who disagree with him to connect face-to-face. The Canberra musician believes real conversations, even over a game of Uno, can help bridge the growing divide in our communities.
Volunteers in Fort Wayne donated over 122,000 hours of service in 2025, creating $4.2 million in economic impact while fighting loneliness and strengthening community bonds. Their work keeps essential services running across northeast Indiana.
Norwegian teens now spend half as much time with friends compared to two decades ago, but researchers say strong friendships are the real secret to lasting happiness. A groundbreaking Harvard study reveals why social connections matter more than money for positive emotions.
An 86-year Harvard study reveals the secret to lasting happiness isn't money or success. It's the quality of our relationships with friends and family.
Nigeria's largest youth convergence kicks off April 22 in Lagos, bringing thousands together for five straight days of networking, creativity, and community building. The non-stop event reflects how young Nigerians are reshaping social connection in a country where youth make up over 60% of the population.
A racquet sports booking app is accidentally becoming the next big dating platform. Strangers meeting for padel matches are walking off the court together and into coffee shops, bars, and real relationships.
Restaurants from Maryland to California are asking diners to put phones away, and Gen Z is leading the charge. Some offer free ice cream, others lock devices in pouches, all to bring back real conversation.
A new movement is sweeping Europe as young people pack into offline events to rediscover creativity, connection, and life without screens. What started as a casual cafe meetup now draws hundreds who pay to put their phones away and reconnect with themselves.
People who never married face up to 85% higher cancer rates, according to a massive new study of over 100 million Americans. The findings highlight how social connections may be just as important as traditional health screenings.
Amsterdam's phone-free social events are spreading across Europe, proving people crave real human connection. Participants swap screens for creativity, conversation, and a surprising sense of relief.
More than a dozen apps designed to help people make real-life friends have generated $16 million in the U.S. this year, responding to what the Surgeon General calls a public health crisis. From personality-matched group dinners to local hiking meetups, these platforms are making it easier to find genuine platonic connections.
New research reveals that purpose and connection matter just as much as diet and exercise for healthy aging. Even with health conditions, 70% of seniors surveyed say they're thriving.
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