As Australians look to co-exist with COVID, there are concerns the nation may be ‘socially stunted’ with research revealing that one-in-two people revealing they’re choosing to spend more time on their own due to the pandemic. Mainstreet Insights’ research surrounding social skills reveals we’re alarmingly out of practice when it comes to connecting with others. On top of half of us preferring time on our own, a third of Australians also say they’re feeling less confident whilst participating in social activities, with one in four requiring the constant reassurance of engaging with a smartphone or device in public.
Mainstreet Insights co-founder Dr. Lindsay McMillan OAM says the uncomfortable and awkward social skills are a surprising step backwards.
“Half the population saying they’re choosing to spend time on their own is an alarming statistic when you consider that humans are social creatures and need social connections in order to thrive. Countless medical studies over decades have established that healthy social relationships are a key component of mental and physical wellbeing.” Dr McMillan OAM commented
Mainstreet co-founder Mark McCrindle says that while social distancing and lockdowns have been necessary public health measures during this pandemic, they have resulted in social and mental health impacts which will take time to overcome.




“For two years the focus has been on public health, but now we need to also give our attention to social health, relational fitness and emotional wellbeing.” Mr. McCrindle commented “This research shows that while we are not as socially toned as we were pre-pandemic, by being aware of this and exercising our relational muscle once more, we can recover from this atrophy,”
Mr. McCrindle said that relational fitness has specifically hit Generation Z the hardest, with half (50%) of the group reporting as a result of the lockdowns they’re now easily fatigued when spending time with friends and colleagues. McCrindle added that while people will start making social connections again soon, other physical greetings and conventions will still take some time to come back. McCrindle pointed out that currently, three in five Australians (60%) are making a conscious effort not to shake hands with others or use other physical greetings such as a hug (58%). Adding that a further one in two (48%) are using other physical contact such as a high five less than they were before the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The pandemic has seen a dramatic change in thinking surrounding physical greetings and if they’re still needed. Three in five people are now avoiding shaking hands, which is appropriate.” McCrindle commented.
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