A blog exploring the art and science of social connection

  • Why winter is the best time to start volunteering

    by Katharine Pratt
    As the days get shorter and the weather gets colder, it is common to feel a bit ‘meh’. Less sunlight, less time in nature and more time stuck inside the house can lead to feeling low. Throw in the stresses and strains of the holiday season and persistent feelings of loneliness can start to creep in. However, there’s a simple, effective way you can take action to improve your social wellbeing this winter...

  • The Art of Self Care: Why making Art is good for your Mental Health

    by Katharine Pratt

    When was the last time you did something creative? For many of us it was a likely a long long time ago. Yet creative acts are shown to be powerful way to explore your emotions, practice mindfulness and reduce stress. We’ve all got the capacity to be creative, but self criticism, fear of other people’s opinions and beliefs about not being a ‘creative person’ can stop us from even getting started. Creativity is a muscle that needs to be exercised to get stronger! Along with being a fun outlet, there are huge benefits for your mental health. Here are 4 reasons to inspire you to pick up or return to a creative hobby...

  • The three sides of being alone: understanding solitude, social isolation and loneliness

    by Katharine Pratt
    Solitude, social isolation and loneliness are interrelated but distinct experiences. Being aware of the differences is vital to building your understanding of your own social wellbeing. Equally, it can help you better support people in your life experiencing the negative aspects of being alone.

  • Why social wellbeing should be your top priority in 2023

    by Katharine Pratt
      Are your social skills feeling a little rusty? You are not alone. A 2022 survey of 2000 adults in the USA noted that 59% of people were finding ...

  • How can art help you nurture your emotional awareness?

    by Katharine Pratt
    Research from the Mental Health Foundation highlights that being aware of our feelings and emotions can play a protective role for our mental healt...

  • Four methods for nurturing your friendships using the power of ritual

    by Katharine Pratt
    I recently read Ritual: How Seemingly Senseless Acts Make Life Worth Living by Dimitris Xygalatas and was utterly fascinated. Dimitris, an anthropologist and cognitive scientist by trade, takes us on an intriguing journey exploring this unique facet of human behaviour. I was inspired to reflect on how we could apply the positive aspects of the science and art of Ritual to nurturing our friendships more effectively.

  • Five Reasons to Write More Letters

    by Katharine Pratt
    People have put pen to paper for thousands of years to connect with each other, share news and mark important occasions. Now, digital communicatio...

  • Why a holistic approach is needed to address the loneliness epidemic

    by Katharine Pratt
    The Lockdowns raised our collective awareness of loneliness and social isolation. Constrained to our homes, the absence of our nearest and dearest ...