The No. 1 Habit to Make Deep Social Connections, According to Psychologist Adam Grant

Your social habits are just as important as eating well and exercising for your long-term health. But many people in the U.S., particularly young adults, feel socially adrift, isolated or lonely. The easiest way to combat loneliness and build deeper social connections with those around you is surprisingly simple — and, ideally, genuinely fun.Expert Tip of the Day: If You Want to Build Deeper Social Connections, Try ThisIf you want to build deeper connections with other people, the best thing to do is simple: Join a club, says Adam Grant, Ph.D., professor at Wharton Business School, organizational psychologist and author of the new book “Vibe: The Secrets of Strong Connections in a Lonely World.”“This is the single most important lifestyle habit we could adopt if we want to strengthen connection,” he tells TODAY.com. “It could be a book club, a gardening group, a painting or pottery experience or a tennis league.”The exact type of club or group you join doesn’t matter — as long as it’s something you enjoy or are interested in doing. “If you get together with people who share your interests,” Grant explains, “it’s a natural opportunity both to build closer connections and have fun while you’re doing it.” Why It MattersIn today’s world, many of us are feeling more and more isolated. “Our social networks used to look like spider webs, where everybody in our life knew each other, and now it looks more like we’re the center of a bicycle wheel,” Grant says. “We’re a hub, and we have all these spokes that are disconnected from each other.”That leaves us in a place where we can have individual connections, he explains, but still not have a real sense of community. Social isolation is associated with many negative health effects, especially as we age. Loneliness is linked to increased risks for depression, anxiety, heart attacks, strokes and certain chronic illnesses, the Mayo Clinic says. And even people who seem well-connected on the outside may still feel a sense of loneliness, as TODAY.com explained previously. Joining a group based around a common interest or experience is one way to strengthen your sense of community and feel more seen by those around you.How to Get StartedTo reap the benefits of a social group, start by thinking about the groups you’re already a part of that you might want to become more involved with. Then, consider your interests and hobbies, as well as your neighborhood and activities. Any of these could be the foundation of a group you could join, such as a new cooking class or walking group in your area.And, previously, TODAY.com recommended meeting with your neighbors, signing up for volunteer work, embarking on a retreat or taking a class focused on a new hobby as great ways to make friends as an adult.TODAY’s Expert Tip of the Day series is all about simple strategies to make life a little easier. Every Monday through Friday, different qualified experts share their best advice on diet, fitness, heart health, mental wellness and more.