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Written By Christine Zellers, MPP and Anneliese Kuemmerle, MS, RDN July 2026
It’s the time of year when beach bags have a spot next to the front door and Jersey tomatoes take over the kitchen counter. Somewhere, a gardener is trying to give away extra zucchini. We can enjoy after-dinner walks, conversations next to the grill, a picnic at the beach, or a stop at the farm stand on the way home from work. As we roll through summer at the shore, many of the things we may already enjoy can help us stay connected to the people around us, supporting our social wellness.
Social wellness is one of the eight dimensions in the wellness model developed by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Social connection supports mental and physical health. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people who have meaningful relationships with others experience less stress, better sleep, and even live longer. A scientific statement by the American Heart Association notes that social isolation is associated with increased risk of early death from all causes.
Habits that support social wellness include making time to connect with others, communicating openly, offering and receiving support, and participating in activities that strengthen your sense of belonging. The CDC also recommends expressing gratitude to others as a way to socially connect. Reaching out to others when we need help can be hard to do, but social wellness is about more than just talking with and giving to others. It also includes receiving care from others.
Social connection during the summer months might look like an early morning walk with a friend during the coolest part of the day, chatting with a neighbor at the farm stand, joining friends for a picnic at the beach, or meeting family for dinner. The National Institute on Aging encourages us to connect with others through shared interests, volunteering, and getting outside together.
One way to combine social and physical wellness is by inviting someone to meet at a farmers market and picking out produce together for quick no-cook snacks and sides. We are in peak season to enjoy Jersey Fresh produce! Did you know Jersey Fresh includes more than 100 varieties of fruits, vegetables, and herbs? Many are in season right now, and we can “double up” on wellness by connecting with others over local produce. It’s the ideal time to make and share our favorite summer meals, side dishes, and snacks featuring in-season local produce. Dropping off a meal for a friend or neighbor who has had a hard week can open the door to more meaningful and supportive relationships.
The CDC encourages spending time with others in nature as a way to foster social connections. Enjoying the beach, going for a bike ride, or visiting zoos and parks are fun summer activities. Summer community events can help our social wellness, too. Outdoor concerts, library programs, park walks, beach cleanups and other volunteer activities, all give people a place to be around others with a shared purpose. With so many options, we can build social wellness into the rest of our summer season.