Sarah Trudan, a first-year in exploratory studies.
The 21st century is full of technological advancements that makes it easier than ever to connect with people from all over the world, but what about the connections with the people right next door? People should make an effort to know their neighbors for the emotional, mental and physical benefits.
The exponential advancement of technology is transforming the way humans interact with each other. People can keep in contact with friends wherever they are, meet new acquaintances easier than ever and be up to date in all of their friends’ lives. This all comes with one drawback, however — sometimes people find it hard to put down the phone and be completely present.
College students in particular could benefit from making an effort to meet their neighbor. Simply making eye contact and smiling and waving is enough to feel a sense of community. This connection can be really important in the absence of students’ hometown communities. Those in hall and suite style residence halls could leave their door open while they are inside to welcome conversation.
If students feel more connected with the campus community, it makes the transition to college life so much easier. Sometimes students need a break from the people they normally study with, and hanging out with your neighbors can be that break. Eating dinner together or creating a study group can be a refreshing change for students needing a little variation in their routine.
A study conducted by the University of Michigan showed that knowing your neighbors can have a remarkable effect on your health as well. The people who felt they had a strong connection with their community also had a 67 percent reduced risk of heart attack.
Research indicates that in the past couple of decades, simple interactions with neighbors have dwindled down to almost nothing. In the 1970s, only 20 percent of people reported not interacting with their neighbors. Today, this number has skyrocketed to the point where now only 20 percent of people do have interactions with their neighbors.
Outside of college, if you are friendly with your neighbor then you help each other out. When one of you goes off on vacation, needs someone to babysit or wants to discuss problems in the neighborhood, you have an ally. If there are problems in the neighborhood, you have a source of information and connection with someone experiencing the same problems.
For some people, simple interactions with neighbors, store workers and other small acquaintances is the only really socialization they have from week to week. Older residents who no longer have as many social connections can especially benefit from social connections with their community. One study found that the rate of cognitive decline for the elderly who had frequent social interaction was 70 percent less than those with low social activity.
I am not asking everyone to suddenly become best friends with their neighbor, but if everyone could make an effort to have a small conversation, wave or even just smile at their neighbors and hall-mates, it could make everyone feel a little more connected and at home. Simple interactions do not mean unimportant interactions. A simple gesture can go a long way in improving someone’s day and can make you feel good too.