Social connections play a vital role in our health and quality of life. Without them, we are left to age alone and navigate an uncertain world that seems to change socially, politically, and physically in the blink of an eye. We may be an injury or single loss of a loved one away from social isolation and loneliness which increases our risks for strokes, heart disease, cancer, and death. In this discussion we will cover types of social connections, how unmet social needs can propel us towards illness and how strong social connections can help build resilient and vibrant lives. We will also briefly discuss the role spirituality plays in protecting us against the negative effects of social isolation and loneliness.