Social Health

This post contains affiliate links, meaning Beachside Community Acupuncture PLLC may receive a small commission for purchases made through certain links at no additional cost to you. (In other words, you support us in a small way when you buy the products that we highly recommend and would use ourselves!) Click here to view our full disclosure policy.

Health is usually self-focused, but in reality humans operate as part of a community. While happiness should not be dependent on external circumstances, having a strong support group can make life more fun and enjoyable. This element of health is so important that it is one of the longevity "secrets" of the Blue Zones, as the author found that many of the people who lived to be over 100 tended to have a community in which they were actively engaged.

Social media and the internet have expanded the ways in which people can keep in touch, but technology often cannot replace genuine connections. The "loneliness epidemic" is best overcome by developing a real-life social network, and there are a variety of ways to meet people if you feel that you're having trouble making friends as an adult.

Friendships need to be cultivated like plants in a garden, and sometimes they fade because of simple inattention. If you can think of any good friends that you haven't heard from in a while, why not send them a quick message saying that you're thinking of them? 

If rekindling past friendships isn't an option for you - or if you'd still like to make new friends - try some of these outlets.

• Meetups: Meetup has groups focused on specific interests, ages, professions, life phases, and more. It can be a great way to meet people with similarities to you...or branch out and expand your horizons. Search the site and be open-minded when looking at what's available in your area.
• Sports leagues: Participating in a team sport can be a fun way to both exercise and make friends. Look for a sport that you remember loving when you were younger, or something that you would consider enjoyable. Most leagues are comprised of varying skill levels, but if you're worried about it, you can always choose something like kickball that doesn't take much finesse.
• Hobby groups: If you're not into sports, lean into what brings you happiness and look for others who share the same passions. Even the most solitary hobby may have a group where everyone pursues their own projects together. A yarn store may host knitting circles, a painting group may arrange outings for artists to work in the same area, etc. You might be able to find ideas on Meetup, but also search Facebook groups, and ask supply stores if they know of any upcoming events.
• Apps: Dating apps are very commonplace nowadays, and similar apps for making friends have also cropped up. 

Of course, there's no need to make a best friend out of every person you meet, and it can be nice to have acquaintances who share your interests but don't know the deeper issues you may be processing with your inner circle. You may find different levels of friendship through these means, but another way to grow social health is by participating in your greater community.

 Having a sense of purpose is another Blue Zones lesson, and being part of a group with a shared goal can be rewarding as well. The following are some ideas if you're not sure where to look for such a place.

• Volunteer organizations: Are you passionate about education? The environment? The arts? Politics? Many charities rely on the help of volunteers to function and often offer flexible hours to make it easy to contribute time or skills to their cause.
• Faith organizations: Joining a church, synagogue, mosque, temple, or other worship ministry is a great way to meet new people, and there are often ample opportunities to get involved within them. Many have support groups, study groups, and other offerings for their members too.
• Networking organizations: If you're more career-focused, check if your trade has its own associations, or look at options that cover a range of industries. Many cities have a Chamber of Commerce that hosts meetings for its members, and you can almost always receive invitations to be a guest in other groups if you just ask people about their favorite networks.
• School organizations: Schools usually love to get parents involved with their operations and may have the need for classroom assistants, event coordinators, supply drive overseers, etc. 

Once you establish your social network, make sure to nourish it! Keep in touch with phone calls, texts, and in-person "dates" as much as your schedules will allow, and make time for special events like birthday celebrations and other milestones. Friendships can often fall to the bottom of your list of priorities, but having people in your life that make you laugh and support you through the ups and downs of life can make all the difference in how you feel about yourself and manage stress.