Media outlets from around the world continue to report on the 'loneliness epidemic' as a major risk to optimal health. Research evidence confirms that social connections are a fundamental human need, crucial to both wellbeing and survival. Apparently, loneliness and social isolation are linked to depression, cognitive decline, decreased mobility and early death.

The quality of our friendships is the largest predictor of our happiness. Social isolation weakens our immune system, raises the blood pressure, messes with sleep patterns, and can be as bad for us as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. According to the authors of a widely cited meta-analysis, loneliness on its own can increase our chances of an early death by 30 percent and “heightened risk for mortality from a lack of social relationships is greater than that from obesity.”

But one of the things that keeps people from being depressed is to be connected. The more social activities we have, the more friends, the more things we can do to keep our body and mind active – that's the best protection we have against mental illness. And getting down with friends works at any age.

Toward the end of his life, the economist John Maynard Keynes was asked if he had any regrets. He responded: “My only regret in life is that I did not drink more champagne.” He had a point; just don’t do it alone.