up:: [[Homeostasis]] Tags:: #🌿 # Social homeostasis Like other systems in our body pursue a state of homeostasis (food, water, temperature), social interaction functions in the same way. In other words, social homeostasis is reached when you have the adequate amount of social interaction through for you not to feel lonely. The important thing to mention here is intimacy level. If I don't feel my social interactions are intimate, I don't feel socially satisfied. ### The difference between introverts and extroverts The traditional thoughts on introverts and extroverts is that introverts don't like social interaction, whereas extroverts do. I believe there is a possible second definition. Introverts are people that don't require as much social interaction to reach social homeostasis, whereas extroverts can go for longer without draining their social battery. But like other things, your social battery is a muscle you can train over time to be able to last for longer. ### Social homeostasis functions timewise Like many other systems in your body ([[Circadian rhythms]] to name one), social homeostasis functions off time. If you usually see a friend for lunch and don't see them, it's likely you will feel slightly more lonely during that lunch period. I believe this is because social interaction causes the release of a ton of hormones and neurotransmitters like [[Dopamine]] which don't get released in the event you don't socially interact, causing a feeling similar to that of withdrawal from drugs. Related: [[Romantic love is an addiction]] [[Social interaction is addiction]] ___ # Resources