Social isolation and loneliness are related, but not the same thing.
Social isolation refers to having relatively few relationships and/or infrequent contact with others. Loneliness is the perception of feeling alone, or feeling disconnected from others.
Someone can be isolated and not feel lonely. They may even like and seek out solitude and being alone. Likewise, someone can feel lonely and yet be surrounded by others.
But according to researchers at BYU's Social Connections and Health Institute, both loneliness and social isolation lead to increased risk of health problems and early mortality.
And if you're both isolated and lonely, your health risks are even greater.
Which brings us to coworking.
Our recent HBR article Coworking Is Not About Workspace — It’s About Feeling Less Lonely focused on the loneliness issues coworking helps with.
But we didn't discuss how coworking helps with social isolation.
This is because we felt it's kinda obvious - if you're working in a crowded and active coworking space, it's clear you aren't isolated.
Also, while we knew social isolation is problematic, we didn't know it can be as big a problem - at least health-wise - as loneliness.
But after listening to OnPoint Radio's Ex-Surgeon General On A Way Out Of Loneliness: Put Down Your Phone and reviewing BYU's research, we realized the reduction of social isolation is another important benefit of coworking.
We also reviewed our coworking interviews and found many references to coworking reducing the social isolation of independent and remote workers.
The most common comment of this type is "it's so nice being around people".
This, by the way, is also what we hear from people who work in coffee shops. They like being around people, even if they aren't interacting with them.
But coworking spaces reduce both social isolation and loneliness, which is a key reason the coworking industry continues to grow rapidly.
It's also one reason coliving is seeing an uptick in interest.
Humans are social creatures and as such, will always seek to be around and interact with other humans.
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