Read our full analysis for a more in-depth look at these trends.
Wellness, part 2: Fostering social connection
Social connection boosts wellbeing, with live events and pets helping ease loneliness and bring people together.
June 2026
Key takeaways
- Social connection plays a critical role in wellbeing, with social bonding activities releasing oxytocin, reducing stress and supporting cognitive health. While often viewed as individualistic, social connection is also shaped by broader infrastructure – such as community spaces, programs and local policies – with post-pandemic data pointing to rising demand for connection.
- Live events and pet ownership are key drivers of social connection, helping reduce loneliness while supporting economic activity. At the same time, rising remote work has contributed to workplace loneliness, which carries significant productivity costs - underscoring the importance of fostering connection both inside and outside the workplace.
- In the first installment of our series, we explored the wellness economy and its growth potential. Now, we turn to a key solution to tech-driven health challenges: fostering social connection.
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