Carly Mallenbaum

4 weeks ago | axios.com | Carly Mallenbaum

Photo illustration: Allie CarlAfter Laura Carlson's plans to buy a multi-family home with friends fell through, she decided, "We should make our neighbors into our friends." The big picture: Connecting with people on your block can feel radical when a majority of Americans don't know most of their neighbors. Zoom in: Carlson, who lives with her husband, toddler and cat, moved into a single-family home in Noe Valley last June.

4 weeks ago | axios.com | Carly Mallenbaum

Photo illustration: Lindsey Bailey/AxiosIf you're feeling left out of social plans, research suggests it's OK to invite yourself. The big picture: People often misread the lack of an invite as a social snub, but most event-holders don't mind if you join in, per the research. Social psychology tells us that spending time with others makes life more meaningful.

4 weeks ago | axios.com | Carly Mallenbaum

Photo illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios. Photo: Raymond Kleboe/Picture Post/Hulton Archive/Getty ImagesNowhere in the world are young men as lonely in comparison to other people in their country as they are in the U.S., per a new Gallup poll. Why it matters: Loneliness is linked to a host of health problems, including increased risk for heart disease and dementia. By the numbers: One in four U.S. men ages 15 to 34 said they felt lonely a lot of the previous day, per new global Gallup data.

4 weeks ago | axios.com | Carly Mallenbaum

Data: World Happiness Report 2025; Chart: Axios VisualsAmericans are dining alone at record rates, according to the latest World Happiness Report (WHR). Why it matters: Sharing meals helps encourage conversation and foster community, which is closely linked to happiness. By the numbers: Roughly 1 in 4 Americans (26%) in 2023 said they ate all of their meals alone the previous day — a 53% increase from 2003.

1 month ago | axios.com | Carly Mallenbaum

Data: Resy; Chart: Axios VisualsCompared to the rest of the country, 5 o'clock dinners in San Francisco are much more popular. Why it matters: Eating earlier in the day supports your body's natural clock — boosting metabolism and improving sleep, experts say. By the numbers: 19.8% of Resy reservations were made during the 5 o'clock hour in 2024, according to Resy data shared with Axios.