We're so used to thinking of self-care as something we do alone. Another routine, another habit or another thing to squeeze into an already busy day. But getting out of the house, trying something new that's not very ‘you’, having a laugh and spending time with other humans is where the magic happens.
And there's a reason to make time for it. According to the 2024 Health Survey for England, published by NHS England in January 2026, 22% of adults in England felt lonely at least some of the time, with 6% saying they often or always felt lonely*. That's more than one in five adults who could be missing out on the connection we all need.
It goes beyond simply feeling a bit lonely, too. A 2023 review of 90 studies** involving more than 2.2 million people found that social isolation was associated with a 32% higher risk of death from any cause. It's a pretty powerful reminder that our relationships and connections matter to our health, not just our happiness.
Of course, we're not suggesting that a Pilates class or a fun afternoon with friends is going to solve all life's problems. But creating opportunities to connect, share experiences and feel part of something is a pretty lovely place to start.
Most of time, the after sesh convos are the best bit?
It's the chat with someone you wouldn't usually meet, the encouragement to try something outside your comfort zone, the unexpected friendship or the laugh you didn't know you needed. You might arrive for the movement, the workshop or the experience, but leave feeling that little bit lighter simply because you've spent time with other people. No pressure to perform, no need to have it all figured out, just show up and see what happens!
So book the class, say yes to the event, bring a friend or come on your own. You never know who you might meet, what you might discover or how much you might need that time. The movement matters, but so does everything that happens around it.
You’re on the teim™.
