Research has shown that staying close to other people had its rewards, namely in better health and a longer life. People with strong social connections are more likely than loners to survive into old age than those who are typically loners. There are several reasons for this, from lowering your level of stress to having friends who encourage you to eat right, take care of yourself and go to the doctor.
But what if you were born with a loner personality? There are several ways to reach out to others and get those friends with benefits for your health.
Meeting Others
In order to establish a base of friends that you can rely upon and expand your social circle, you will first have to meet new people. Meeting others isn’t as hard as you might think. There are several places where you can meet people to whom you may form a strong connection.
Church or a place of worship is a good place to start. You already will have something in common, a shared spiritual belief. Plus, most churches are welcoming places with a lot of different activities that are available in a group setting, such as Bible studies and volunteer opportunities.
Other places where you may meet new friends include sports or activity centers, school, work, even the grocery store.
Maintain Friendships
People who like to keep to themselves often feel overwhelmed when it comes to friendships and the amount of work they think it will take or the time that may be taken away from doing their own thing. The best approach here is to take it slow. Gather just a few close friends instead of a social army. Make your boundaries clear, but also be willing to step up and out to maintain those new friendships.
You don’t have to be with a friend 24/7, but make sure that you make an effort to prevent the friendship from being one sided. Eventually you will find your groove in the relationship.
Consider that some studies have shown that staying close to others is as beneficial to your health as not smoking!
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