Continual isolation from humans can negatively impact the long-term communication skills of young adults and their ability to be happy, according to John McGory of the American Speech Company.
“Unhappiness is clearly growing worldwide the longer social isolation continues. Parents and friends need to make a concentrated effort to make sure the young adults in their lives continue to talk to family and friends.”
Nicholas Epley, professor of Behavioral Science and faculty director of the Center for Decision Research at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, and Juliana Schroeder, professor in the Management of Organizations group at University of California, Berkeley, did a study for the BBC on the importance of talk in people’s lives.
The study concluded that humans are inherently social animals, who are made happier and healthier when connected to others. Feeling isolated and lonely, in contrast, is a stress factor that poses a health risk comparable to smoking and obesity. Having positive social relationships has been put forward as a key ingredient for happiness, more significant even than how much we earn.
McGory, an author who wrote Seeking Balance: The ultimate guide to English-speaking excellence for the shy, foreign, or frustrated, says social distancing has shown him how much people miss conversation.
“I’ve been making an effort to have random, short conversations with strangers when at the park or in a grocery store. Every person has responded with almost unbridled enthusiasm. You can see how much people miss talking to others.”
No school, social activities, musical performances or sports make life difficult for the young. Non-stop computer games or television can create a dangerous situation, impacting mood, diet, and health.
Younger adults need more social interaction including practice at conversation, according to McGory who taught spoken English classes for six years at Jianghan University in Wuhan, China.
“Most young people like to talk, even if they say they don’t. The key involves finding the right topics. That can be an issue with conversations between people with large age differences. Asking a person a well-considered question or two usually starts a conversation that makes everyone feel better.”
