Dimension of wellness
Friends, family and the people you lean on. 21 plain-English guides, newest first, plus a free app for this part of your life.
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How to install and use Keep in Touch, our free app for staying close to the people who matter. Pick how often you want to connect, see who's due and log each call or text. Private, no sign-up.
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Why AI companion apps and chatbot "friends" are booming, what early research says about AI companions and loneliness, the potential benefits and risks, warning signs of unhealthy reliance, and how to use AI in a way that supports real human connection.
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What dating app burnout is, why endless swiping, ghosting and small talk wear people down, signs you need a break, healthier ways to use dating apps, and how to meet people offline through hobbies, friends and community.
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How to set healthy boundaries with family, especially around the holidays, including how to handle difficult relatives, political arguments and unsolicited comments, scripts for saying no, what to know about family estrangement, and how to protect your peace.
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Why losing a friend can hurt as much as a romantic breakup, common reasons friendships end or fade, how to tell if a friendship is worth saving, how to end a friendship kindly, and how to grieve, heal and open up to new connections.
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Why fewer people know their neighbors today, how neighborly connection supports safety, belonging and health, and easy, low-pressure ways to meet neighbors, from simple hellos and porch chats to block parties, little free libraries and neighborhood groups.
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Why supper clubs, potlucks and simple dinner parties are a growing way to build community and fight loneliness, and a step-by-step guide to hosting on a budget, from guest lists and easy menus to conversation starters and making it a regular tradition.
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What makes a good friend according to research, including responsiveness, showing up and reciprocity, and 15 practical habits to be a better friend, from remembering details and celebrating wins to supporting friends through hard times and repairing after conflict.
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What the "social battery" means, how introversion actually works, signs your social battery is running low (the introvert hangover), and practical ways for introverts to recharge, protect their energy and still enjoy meaningful friendships and social life.
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Why adult friendships fade when work, family and life get busy, how many hours it takes to build a friendship, and practical, low-effort ways to stay close, from voice notes and recurring plans to piggybacking on errands and making the most of small moments.
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What phubbing (phone snubbing) is, what research says about how phones affect conversations, relationships and parenting, signs you might be phubbing, and practical ways to put the phone down and be more present with the people you love.
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What social anxiety is, how it differs from shyness, common symptoms, the thinking traps that keep it going (like the spotlight effect and the liking gap), and practical tips to feel more confident in conversations, parties, meetings and everyday social situations.
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How to support a friend who is grieving, sick, going through a breakup or struggling with mental health, including words that help, phrases to avoid, practical ways to show up, ring theory, and how to keep supporting them in the weeks and months after.
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Run clubs, pickleball and group fitness are booming as people look for real-world connection. Learn why run clubs became the new way to make friends, the health benefits of exercising with others, what to expect at your first run club, and other social fitness ideas for every fitness level.
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Third places are the cafés, libraries, parks, barbershops and community spaces where people gather outside home and work. Learn where the idea of third places came from, why they're disappearing, why they matter for loneliness and wellbeing, and how to find or create your own third place.
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What active listening means, why it matters for relationships and work, the core active listening skills with examples like reflecting, paraphrasing and open questions, common listening mistakes, and how to practice being a better listener.
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Why making friends as an adult is harder, how many hours it takes to make a friend according to research, the friendship recession, the best places to meet new friends in your 30s, 40s and beyond, friendship apps, and how to turn acquaintances into close friends.
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How to argue in a healthy way using I-statements instead of "you always" accusations, a simple I-statement formula with examples, John Gottman's four horsemen of conflict, how to take a break when an argument gets heated, and conflict resolution tips for relationships, family and work.
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Why the US Surgeon General and the World Health Organization call loneliness a public health issue, the health effects of loneliness and social isolation, signs you're lonely, the difference between loneliness and being alone, and practical ways to overcome loneliness and feel more connected.
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Why talking to strangers makes you happier, what studies of commuters and coffee shop customers found, the liking gap, why we avoid small talk, easy conversation starters and tips for talking to strangers if you're shy or anxious.
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What research says about the mental and physical health benefits of volunteering, the "helper's high," volunteering for older adults, how many hours of volunteering help most, how to find volunteer opportunities near you, virtual volunteering and how to avoid volunteer burnout.