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Combating loneliness
Loneliness is complicated. You can feel lonely when you lack friends and miss companionship, or when you're surrounded by people such as co-workers — even friends and family. Either way, loneliness can have devastating health effects.
1. Seek like-minded souls
Being around people who share your interests gives you a head start on making friends: you already have something in common.
Start by considering your interests. Are you a voracious reader, a history lover, a movie aficionado, a gardener, a foodie, a puppy parent, or an athlete? Are you passionate about a cause, your community, or your heritage? Do you collect things? Do you love classic cars? Do you enjoy sprucing up old furniture? Maybe you want to learn something new, like how to cook Chinese food or speak another language. Search for online groups, in-person clubs, volunteer opportunities, or classes that match any of your interests or things you'd like to try.
2. Create opportunities
If joining someone else's group is unappealing, start your own. Host gatherings at your place or elsewhere. All it takes is three people. You can say, 'Let's read books or talk about a TV show or have a dinner group on a regular basis.' Other ideas for gatherings, either weekly or monthly, include:
- game or trivia nights
- hikes, beach walks, running, or cycling
- bird-watching expeditions
- meditation
- museum visit
The people you invite don't have to be dear friends; they can just be people you'd like to get to know better, perhaps neighbors or work acquaintances.
3. Brush up your social skills
Tips to practice:
- Smile more. Smiling is welcoming, inviting, and hospitable to others.
- Be engaging. Prepare a few topics to talk about or questions to ask.
- Be a good listener.
- Ask questions and follow-up with more questions.
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Even chats that don't lead to friendships can be enriching. A 2022 study found that people who had the most diverse portfolios of social interactions, exchanges with strangers, acquaintances, friends, or family members, were much happier than those with the least diverse social portfolios.
Ultimately, a wide variety of interactions contributes to well-being, whether you're talking to the cashier at the supermarket, a neighbor, an old friend, or a new one. And all of these connections combined may go a long way toward helping you feel less lonely.
For strategies to improve social health and cultivate stronger social connections, check out our recent blog: Social Wellness: Building Strong Connections for a Balanced Life.
Content sourced from The Harvard Medical School blog.
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