Years from now when you are on your death bed you probably won’t say, “I wish I had spent more time watching Netflix.” You will instead cherish the time you spent with friends, family and community members. However, there is an unhealthy trend in America toward neglecting our needs as social beings and instead turning to our phones and flatscreens for companionship.

Derek Thompson reports in The Atlantic that in-person socializing slowly declined from 1965  to 2000 but since then has plunged by 20 percent according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Among unmarried men and people younger than 25, the decline was more than 35 percent.” Though the average American now has far more leisure time than 60 years ago, that time has been channeled into gazing at screens instead of enjoying face-to-face company.

Author Marc Dunkelman says most people still maintain good connections with family and best friends. However, the relationships where people have become anti-social is with people in our communities, and this is a major factor in the rising polarization in society. When we have the anonymity of being online it is too easy to brush people aside when we disagree with their views. However, when we sit in the same room with community members at a town council session, a school board meeting or the Summit County Chamber we learn tolerance and this creates social cohesion. “It is politically moderating to meet thoughtful people in the real world who disagree with you,” says Dunkelman.

Volunteering is a way for you to connect with others in Summit County and strengthen the community. Instead of endlessly scrolling X (aka Twitter) to see what Elon Musk had for lunch, consider that many in Summit County cannot afford lunch and that you can meet and help these people by volunteering at the Family and Intercultural Resource Center, Smart Bellies or one of the churches and charities that provide nutritious meals to those in need.

The combined effort of many volunteers giving just a couple hours each week adds up to a significant benefit for those who struggle to pay this area’s high rent and food bills. You could be a helper once a week for Smart Bellies spending two hours filling bags with groceries for families and “backpacks” of weekend lunches for students. Or you could assist by unloading food donations or delivering food bags if that better fits your schedule. Smart Bellies ensures that over 1,200 local children get adequate nutrition each week.

Parents, if your teenager’s best friend is an AI chatbot companion nudge them into devoting a few hours each week toward connecting with real people while doing community service. They will improve their social skills, make friends and learn an appreciation for the good things they have. They could help at the Family & Intercultural Resource Center, which provides groceries to area families at its Dillon and Breckenridge food pantries, or help serving meals at the Rotary Club’s community dinner.

Don’t waste hours scanning social media for the latest political scandal. Instead, focus on alleviating our local social problems. For example, ARISE is a nonprofit that supports survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence in Summit County. They currently need volunteers to staff their 24 hour hotline, to promote awareness of their organization and to educate the public on prevention of domestic violence and sexual assault.

Mountain Mentors has a waiting list of over 40 kids eager to have an adult take them hiking, to a movie or skiing. With just a few hours of your time each month, you can have a positive, lasting influence on a deserving child. Mountain Mentors arranges many fun group activities such as bowling, ice skating, Rockies games, picnics, trivia night, and art classes.

To our many retired residents, you now have time to devote to our nonprofits and enjoy the benefits of an improved social life. Having a high level of social interaction has been consistently shown by scientific research to be a positive factor in extending the average lifespan. A 2023 Johns Hopkins study found that socially isolated adults have a 27% higher chance of developing dementia than adults who are actively getting together with others. Scrolling through acquaintances on Facebook does not count. Connect with real people to keep your mind and body sharp.

We tend to blame the polarization in the U.S. on distant politicians, but if we are spending most of each day building a relationship with silicon chips instead with our neighbors then we are part of the problem. We live in a wonderful mountain community, but it is up to each of us to connect with others to maintain and strengthen our area’s social cohesion. Volunteering is a great way to minimize social division, meet interesting people, enhance our mental health, and make Summit County an even better place to live.

Paul Olson’s column “A Friendly Conservative” publishes biweekly on Tuesdays in the Summit Daily News. Olson has lived in Breckenridge since 1995. Semiretired, he works at REI in Dillon and enjoys snowboarding, Nordic skiing and hiking. Contact him at pobreck@gmail.com.