Hybrid Work's Silent Toll: Professionals Struggle to Socialise, Face Social Atrophy

• Hybrid work, now a default for millions, is quietly reshaping social interactions, leading to 'social atrophy' and loneliness among professionals.
• Surveys reveal higher loneliness among hybrid/remote workers (26-29%) compared to in-office (19%), with Gen Z (22-30) particularly affected.
• Younger professionals, especially Gen Z in India, missed crucial 'social apprenticeship' due to remote entry, making them socially tentative in physical workplaces.
• Resistance to return-to-office is often rooted in a lack of 'social stamina' and disengagement, not just flexibility, as workers adapted to isolation.
• Neuroscience suggests reduced social interaction weakens 'social muscle memory,' making normal social situations feel stressful and demanding.

Why It Matters: Hybrid work fosters social atrophy and loneliness, especially for younger professionals, demanding a redesign for human connection.