Interacting with others in order to feel good about oneself The Rule of 5-3-1 could revolutionize the way you experience social relationships
As we grow up, we’re learning to take care of ourselves. We’re bombarded with videos and podcasts, with advice, both requested and unsolicited, and with mantras that promise to change our lives. We’ve thrown ourselves into yoga, pilates, and some of us even into running. We’ve tried meditation, practiced mindfulness, and learned - at least in theory - to put ourselves first. We invest in increasingly high-performing skincare products and devote ourselves to wellness rituals that grow longer and more complex. And yet, in this seemingly idyllic scenario, we often overlook a crucial piece: what if the real thing missing from our self-care practice is human connection? In an era where we’ve turned everything into a routine, there’s one area that keeps slipping through our fingers: relationships. We treat them as something secondary, something that happens spontaneously, or something we squeeze in between commitments when there’s time left. Meanwhile, loneliness grows like a quiet shadow. Younger generations experience it, more connected than ever yet deeply isolated, and adults feel it too, struggling to find spaces for genuine social interaction.
What the 5-3-1 Rule is and how it helps us feel less alone
And this is where the 5-3-1 Rule comes in, a method created by sociologist Kasley Killam to help us nurture our social relationships in the best possible way, and without too much effort. The rule is based on three numbers and three types of interaction, and it’s surprisingly simple. Five: every week, spend time with at least five different people or social groups (family, friends, colleagues, neighbors); it’s a natural way to increase the presence of social life in your daily routine. Three: every month, cultivate at least three deeper interactions with the people closest to you, those with whom you can truly lower your guard and be yourself. One: every day, dedicate at least one hour to social interaction, even if it’s broken up across different moments. Chat with your neighbor, call your sister, exchange a few words with a coworker.
@chrisiduffy Our social relationships aren’t just important for enjoying life, they also play a huge role in our health. Kasley Killam, MPH explains her rule for how to maintain your social health
original sound - Chris Duffy
Socializing is good for your health (and it takes practice)
It doesn’t take much: the important thing is to stay trained. Because yes, social connection is something that needs to be cultivated and nourished. And while wellness culture has taught us to take care of ourselves with almost ritualistic discipline, we often forget that relationships are a biologically, emotionally, and culturally irreplaceable part of our balance. Science has been reminding us of this in recent years. According to a recent report from the WHO’s Commission on Social Connection, strong social connection supports better health: it reduces inflammation, lowers the risk of serious diseases, promotes mental well-being, and can even help extend lifespan. On the other hand, loneliness and isolation increase the risk of stroke, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cognitive decline, and premature death.
@studyerik Read caption!! Ever find yourself lost in the endless scroll of Instagram or TikTok, only to realize hours have passed? Let's break that cycle with the '5-3-1 Technique'! Here's how it works: **5-Minute Rule**: Set a timer for 5 minutes. Give yourself permission to scroll freely, but once the timer goes off, it's time to pause. **3 Deep Breaths**: Take three deep breaths to center yourself and break the automatic scroll trance. **1 Positive Action**: Choose one positive action to do next. It could be reading a page of a book, jotting down a to-do list, or even stretching. This step helps redirect your focus from scrolling to something productive. Implementing the '5-3-1 Technique' can help you regain control over your time and make mindful decisions about your screen usage. Let's turn those scrolling moments into opportunities for growth and productivity. Start today and see the difference it makes in your daily routine! Follow for more @studytipd :) #studyhacks #studytips #studygram originalljud - Helping students on the daily!
Showing up, as an intention
In its simplicity, the 5-3-1 Rule doesn’t promise inner revolutions or radical transformations. Instead, it brings to the surface something we’ve always known but keep forgetting: our emotional well-being is built through exchange, closeness, and mutual presence. And if the idea feels artificial (do I really need to schedule my human relationships?), the truth is that there’s nothing more natural than protecting what matters. In a world that keeps us reachable 24/7 but rarely truly present, maybe we do need a small structured framework to bring intention back where habit is no longer enough. And there’s another particularly interesting element: the rule never talks about emotional intensity, but about availability. It doesn’t ask you to be perfect, brilliant, or consistently empathetic. It only asks you to show up. Five weekly interactions can be a ten-minute coffee or a short walk. The three deeper conversations don’t require grand confessions, just listening and authenticity. And nurturing relationships in everyday life is simpler than it seems: you just need to be kind and let yourself open up. In an age increasingly driven by individualism and self-assertion, the 5-3-1 Rule offers a different path: well-being as a shared space. A small, concrete, immediate reminder that taking care of ourselves also - and above all - means taking care of others.
