In surveys, we list our close relationships as our most important
sources of meaning. Research shows that people who are lonely and
isolated feel their lives are less meaningful.
In 1985, when the General Social Survey
asked Americans how many people they’d discussed important matters with
over the past six months, the most common response was three. When the
survey was repeated again in 2004, the most common response was zero. Despite increased social media permeating our lives, many surveys (including those mentioned in the article below) point to a disturbing trend of people not having significant social connection in their lives.
Psychologists have also discovered the value of small moments of
intimacy. These
positive, short-term interactions between two people can be when a couple
holds hands on a walk or when two strangers have an empathetic
conversation on a plane.
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2017/jan/15/friend-zone-why-we-all-long-to-belong