Friends we sing with along the way

Turning casual friends into close ones, singing through grief, and more tips on friendship.

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July 15, 2026 11:15am EDT

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Here’s the problem with friendship these days: People say they have quality people in their corner, are even satisfied with the number of friends they have, and yearn to see them more often. Despite all this, Americans are actually spending less time socializing than ever before — a mere 35 minutes a day in 2025. However, the benefits of friendship cannot be understated.

Decades of research supports the dangers of chronic loneliness and social isolation: increased cardiovascular health risks; links to personality disorders, suicide, cognitive decline, and depressive symptoms; even a higher likelihood of mortality. What would happen if friendships were viewed as an antidote rather than a chore?

Read on for Vox's coverage on singing through grief together, turning casual friends into close ones, and keeping in touch.

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