If you feel like your social life needs a boost, you’re not alone. A survey by Meta and Gallup found that one in four adults worldwide feel lonely.
But here’s the good news – being social doesn’t mean dropping your weekend plans of binge-watching a trending series and staying out late against your will. You can broaden your circle by increasing your intentional social interactions. Here are some tips to help you build and maintain fulfilling connections.
How important is having a social life?
Everyone has a social circle, however large or small. But social connections can vary in more than just volume – the levels of intimacy you enjoy with others and how much effort you put into keeping those connections strong and healthy can change from group to group or person to person.
So, what happens if you have no social life? If you isolate yourself and don’t have many social interactions on a regular basis, this could have negative impacts on your mental health and general well-being.
The impact of social interactions on mental and physical well-being
According to the Better Health Channel, run by the Department of Health in Victoria, some of the benefits of social activity include lower rates of anxiety and depression, higher self-esteem, and more empathy, trust, and cooperation. Having a good support system can also boost your immune system, speed up recovery from disease, and extend your lifespan.
Meanwhile, if you’re lonely, you may be more prone to poor sleep, lack of confidence or self-esteem, higher stress and blood pressure, and a greater risk for antisocial behaviour, depression, anxiety, and suicide. You may also experience a weaker immune system, a general dissatisfaction with your life, and a shorter lifespan.
These consequences of loneliness are concerning worldwide and in Australia. According to 2022 figures from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), about 15% of Australians reported experiencing social isolation and 16% experienced loneliness. So, having a social life and maintaining connections becomes all the more important.
And as a bonus apart from your mental and physical well-being, other benefits of social activity include increased opportunities in life and your career.
Types of social connections
There are three kinds of social connections, according to the Better Health Channel. Intimate connections exist between family, friends, and romantic partners – the people who love and care for you and whom you love and care for in return.
Relational connections form between you and the people you interact with regularly and share interests with, like your teammates at work or your neighbours. You can also create collective connections with people you share a group membership or affiliation with, like a club, voting party, or religious group.
A healthy social life will mean fostering all three types of connections in a meaningful way. As to how you can do that, keep reading.
How to improve your social life
Begin by evaluating your current relationships and assessing your needs. This will set the foundation for choosing the right people, deepening your friendships, and making better decisions for your social health. Keep reading for a few tips on being more socially active.
1. Make the first move.
Playing the waiting game might work when dating, but if you want to build your social network, be friendly first. Instead of sitting around and waiting for someone to kick things off, switch things up by initiating conversation.
Introduce yourself and keep the ball rolling. Learn the magical art of small talk and playful banter – you may want to keep a few icebreakers handy to help with any initial awkwardness. Just make sure to be respectful. It won’t be easy at first, especially if you’re not used to being outgoing. Thankfully, most people love talking about themselves. So, ask many questions to take the pressure off having to volunteer information about yourself right away.
2. Focus on quality rather than quantity.
Rather than seeking to make as many friends as possible, focus on building quality relationships with those who share your values and interests. While it’s possible to have a tonne of acquaintances, giving a select few access to your inner sanctum and most authentic self will solidify your social life.
Put yourself out there and be proactive about meeting new people. Sign up for that spinning or yoga class. Tap into your current network to expand your social circle. Rekindle old friendships, and when you make plans, don’t flake out! Before committing to a meet-up, check your busy schedule thrice to make it easier to follow through with your friend-finding efforts.
3. Show others you care.
Enrich your social life by adding value to the lives of others. When you make other people feel special, you’re signalling your intention to deepen your relationship with them.
Here are some thoughtful ways you can show others you care:
- Offer compliments or words of appreciation.
- Engage in deep and personal conversations.
- Explore new activities together.
- Show genuine interest in their family members (including their pets).
- Send them their favourite foods or drinks on special occasions.
- Invite them to your events.
- Check in on them more often, especially if you know they are going through a tough time.
4. Let your guard down.
To create more meaningful connections, allow yourself to be vulnerable. Maybe you feel disconnected because you drift through life behind protective walls, shielding yourself from potential hurt. While this self-preservation is understandable, it may lead you to miss out on opportunities to experience love and joy with others.
It takes courage to tear those walls down. Yet, the reward is authentic relationships that allow you to be your true self. So, when getting to know a new acquaintance, drop all pretences and just be you! There’s no better way to gain a fulfilling social life than to keep it real.
5. Develop your personal brand.
Expanding your social circle involves self-discovery. Identify an aspect of your personality that defines you and build on that to draw others closer. Perhaps you don’t consider yourself a social butterfly, but perhaps your culinary skills shine at potlucks and barbies, making you the go-to kitchen virtuoso. Maybe you have friends in high places. Capitalise on those connections and help a mate out to broaden your influence.
Bank on your assets to stand out in a crowd. But also remain proactive in addressing areas that need improvement. Maybe you need a smile makeover to boost your confidence. Don’t hesitate to share this intention with your dentist. You can also inquire about ClearCorrect dental aligners that offer a more discreet solution to straightening teeth.
6. Reach out to past connections.
One advantage of living in the digital age is how easy it’s become to reconnect with people. Where previous generations may have easily lost touch with friends or family after a change of address, phone number, or name, all we have to do now is type into a search bar. Use this to reconnect with old friends from school, uni, past work, and more.
Of course, you’ll need to do more than just hit the “follow” or “add friend” button for genuine social interaction. Send your old friend a message and tell them why you suddenly thought about them or mention an anecdote from your shared history. Even a simple greeting on a holiday or birthday can sometimes rekindle a friendship. Don’t just stick to chat or email, either – give them a bell or have a video call for a real catch-up. If you live nearby, invite them over for a coldie.
7. Challenge your boundaries.
Stepping out of your comfort zone can be difficult. But it builds character and confidence and gives you more opportunities to meet new people. Join a new club, take a class in something you’ve never tried before, or strike up conversations with regulars at the places you frequent, like your favourite cafe or the dog park. This can be a real challenge if you are shy or have social anxiety, but the friendships you form may well be worth it.
One idea to expand your social life beyond your current circle may be to sign up for volunteer work. This comes with the opportunity to meet and connect with new people who share your values and ideals, and it may even see you travelling together. And these connections can last far longer than the projects that bring you together. A 2021 study on late-life friendships saw more sustained social interactions between people who had shared many hours of volunteer work.
8. Take care of yourself.
Taking time out for yourself may seem a strange tip for ramping up your social life. But self-care does more than just boost your mood and confidence – it can help you leave a good impression on the people you interact with. Spending time and effort so you look great and feel fantastic will put you in the best frame of mind to meet people and give them your wholehearted attention.
It also pays to invest in your looks and health. For example, a sparkling set of teeth can make you feel more confident and also is a sign of good dental and overall health. If you’re looking into teeth alignment options, you may want to ask your dentist about ClearCorrect. These invisible dental aligners use a revolutionary tri-layer material called ClearQuartz and are removable for top durability, discretion, and comfort. To find out if you’d be a good candidate for ClearCorrect, take the online smile assessment.
The benefits of social activity for overall well-being
Research from Nature Human Behaviour confirms that humans are innately social beings. A fulfilling social life meets this need for community and belonging. Additionally, a decade-long study by Harvard suggests that the secret to a happy life isn’t fame, fortune, or even health – it’s having positive relationships.
Studies from Genus further validate the link between friendships and improved quality of life. The results reveal that the more often respondents interact with their friends, the higher their overall life satisfaction.
In today’s fast-paced and ever-changing world, a meaningful social life can help you slow down and stay grounded. Here are other benefits of having a strong circle:
- Improved social skills
- Better work and school performance
- Enhanced self-esteem
- Reduced risk of mental diseases, like Alzheimer’s
- Improved coping with stress, anxiety, and depression
Balancing moments of solitude with a fulfilling social life adds depth and meaning to your days. Expanding your circle allows you to make an impact beyond personal gains. Just don’t let your fear of rejection block the path to meaningful connections. Go ahead, open your doors, and show up. You’ve got this!
References:
Amati, V., Meggiolaro, S., Rivellini, G., & Zaccarin, S. (2018). Social relations and life satisfaction: the role of friends. Genus, 74(1).
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). (n.d.). Mental health: Social isolation and loneliness. AIHW.gov.au
University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture: Research & Extension. (2015 June). Benefits of social activity. UAEX.UADA.edu
Better Health Channel. (n.d.). Strong relationships, strong health. Betterhealth.vic.gov.au.
Lim, E., Peng, C., & Burr, J. (2021 December 17). Building friendships through volunteering in late life: Does gender moderate the relationship? Innovation in Aging, 2021; (5, Suppl 1): 572.
Maese, B. E. (2023, November 15). Almost a quarter of the world feels lonely. Gallup.com.
Solan, M. (2017, October 5). The secret to happiness? Here’s some advice from the longest-running study on happiness. Harvard Health.
The cooperative human. (2018). Nature Human Behaviour, 2(7), 427–428.
