Shopping centers support mental health and relieve loneliness

Did you leave your Christmas shopping to the last minute?

Dreading the thought of dragging yourself to the shopping centre? Fighting for a parking spot, figuring out which floor you need, enduring the headache-inducing lighting and canned music?

Before you vow to get organised enough to do your shopping online and on-time next year – consider this: your local shopping centre may be supporting the mental health and welfare of your neighbours and elderly relatives.

Social lifelines

Public health researchers at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences found that shopping centres play a crucial role in alleviating isolation and loneliness.

They provide a so-called third place: a social space that is neither home (first place) nor workplace (second place) but somewhere to relax, connect and feel part of a community.

Traditionally, cafés, libraries, churches, and community centres have fulfilled this role. Today, it is shopping centres that often serve this important purpose.

The researchers selected a well-established shopping centre in Østfold and spent time making observations and talking to staff before gathering information on its visitors.

“We wanted to understand how people use shopping centres for social reasons,” explains researcher Gry Rustad Pettersen. “To do this, we interviewed visitors while accompanying them in the shopping centre - a method called go-along interviews.”

Here's what was found:

• Shopping centres function as social spaces and are part of the social infrastructure
• They offer inclusive spaces for both regulars and newcomers
• People found it fulfilling to simply be in the vibrant environment
• Shopping centres serve as spaces where friendships can evolve

Shopping centres thus play a crucial role in alleviating isolation and loneliness.

“The best place”

For many, the shopping centre is more than a place to shop; it’s a social hub and a daily ritual. Regular visitors – especially older adults - build routines around specific spots and times. There are even memorial plaques installed by management in honour of some of these loyal visitors.

People come to stroll, watch the crowds, and enjoy the lively atmosphere. Cafés often serve as gathering points where locals are allowed to sit for hours over a single cup of coffee.

Shopping centre locations are often central or easy to reach by public transport. This convenience adds to their appeal.

As Morten (68) summed it up: “This is the best place.”

“It’s nice to be among others”

Pettersen explains: “Shopping centres can offer comfort during loneliness or stress. They can even provide a safe space for alleviating social anxiety.”

“One of the people interviewed spent hours in the same café every day, starting by ordering coffee through an app and later progressing to face-to-face orders. Over time, she began to enjoy engaging in small talk, with her next goal being to start a conversation herself.”

For some elderly visitors, the shopping centre was one of their only social outlets.

“I don't have anybody. It makes you understand why I leave the house,” Inger (85) told the researchers.

This need to get out of the house was a recurring theme in the interviews. Visitors often enjoyed simply being among other people without the pressure to interact, describing people-watching as entertaining and a source of comfort.

Chance encounters - a smile or a quick hello - boosted mood and created a sense of belonging. Over time, these small exchanges sometimes grew into deeper friendships, showing how casual ties can become meaningful through routine and shared spaces such as shopping centres.

The bigger picture

We live in an age where online activity has replaced much face-to-face social interaction, leaving many - especially older adults - feeling isolated. In this context, the shopping centre has quietly evolved into something of a lifeline for many.

This research shows that shopping centres are now often part of the social infrastructure that make cities liveable. Whilst they may have replaced once-bustling highstreets, they serve a social purpose all the same.

“Looking ahead, the qualities that make shopping centres so socially valuable, such as accessibility, neutrality, and vibrancy, could inspire other public spaces,” says Pettersen.

“Creating more places like this may be key to building healthier, more connected communities and cities.”

In the spirit of Christmas…

With the festive season in full swing, the importance of social outlets is at the forefront of our minds. While online shopping may save time, it can’t replace the simple joy of sharing a smile, hearing laughter, or feeling part of a community.

So next Christmas, when you’re tempted to skip the shopping centre, remember it might be more than a place to buy gifts; it could be a lifeline for someone who needs it.