For several years, we have heard about our country’s loneliness epidemic. It’s a problem that can be particularly stark among men, who are more likely to report feelings of disconnection. Studies show that around a quarter of men say they have no close friends. One New York City group is committed to making time for regular connection.
About a year ago, Mark Greene co-founded a group in his Manhattan neighborhood called Walking Talking Men – it’s exactly what it sounds like.
“We talk about parenting. We talk employment. We talk depression sometimes. We talk about anime,” Greene said.
Greene wanted to create a space for deep friendships – something he says many men struggle to find – to develop.
“Everybody expects you to be stoic and strong and competitive and made of some sort of invulnerable material, right?” Greene explained. “And men are actually social animals.”
What You Need To Know
A quarter of men say they have no close friends
Walking Talking Men provides a space for men to form deeper connections
The walking group started in New York City, but has spread to eighteen other cities
Regular social connection improves both our mental and physical health
Greene says the regular walks have improved his life in countless ways.
“My health is better. I would say that my marriage is better, I would say that my sense of belonging in my community is better,” he said.
Dr. Richard Schwartz, a psychiatrist, says one reason men struggle with loneliness is how they tend to form connections.
“Men tend to acquire friends when they’re in school together, when they are in the military together, when they on a sports team together,” Schwartz said.
When those periods end, ties can weaken. The loneliness that follows can be detrimental not only to their mental health – but to their physical health as well.
“It interferes primarily with our immune function but also is just a level of chronic stress that is also bad for us over time,” he added.
“If you don’t address the question of loneliness in your life, the data’s very clear,” Greene said. “You will have a shorter life expectancy.
As Greene’s walking group grew – so did his sense of connection and belonging. He’s encouraging other men to follow his lead.
“If you’re feeling that sense of loneliness, if you feel like you don’t have enough friends, start a walk in your own neighborhood,” he suggested.
The movement has spread to eighteen other cities, creating friendships along the way.
“When you say what’s really going on for you, you come to understand that other people are dealing with that too. And you take a huge weight off yourself,” Greene said.