{"id":4758,"date":"2023-04-26T15:46:38","date_gmt":"2023-04-26T20:46:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.northwestpharmacy.com\/healthperch\/?p=4758"},"modified":"2023-04-26T15:50:17","modified_gmt":"2023-04-26T20:50:17","slug":"banishing-loneliness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.northwestpharmacy.com\/healthperch\/banishing-loneliness","title":{"rendered":"Banishing Loneliness: Why Maintaining Relationships Is Important and How To Meet More Friends"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Maybe you feel as though you have fewer friends than you used to. After all, it\u2019s often easier to connect with others when you\u2019re a kid going to classes and participating in after-school activities than it is to find people you have things in common with as an adult.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the other hand, maybe you\u2019ve always struggled to maintain relationships. Shyness, introversion, and social anxiety can sometimes get in the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Loneliness is a problem for many. Unfortunately, this issue can take a toll on your health and even affect how long you live. If your social life isn\u2019t quite where you\u2019d like it to be, however, there are many strategies that can help you get and stay close to others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Loneliness is a Growing Problem<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Loneliness affects people of all ages. Some research has found that college students spend less time socializing with friends<\/a> than they did a couple of decades ago. Additionally, studies have long found that many older adults tend to be more socially isolated, with more than one-third<\/a> of adults over the age of 45 saying they feel lonely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This problem only worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic, with more people than ever before<\/a> reporting problems with loneliness. Other issues like working long hours and moving to new areas more frequently can also contribute to the problem. Surveys show that U.S. adults report having fewer close friends and less emotional support<\/a> than they used to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Health Impacts of Loneliness<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It may not be too surprising that feeling lonely is linked to mental health struggles<\/a> like anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts. However, it can also affect your physical health in big ways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re lonely, you\u2019re more likely<\/a> to have problems with heart disease and high blood pressure<\/a>. Your immune system may plummet, leaving you less protected against infections. As you get older, your mind tends to function more poorly, putting you at risk for conditions like dementia and Alzheimer\u2019s disease<\/a>. You also need to go to the doctor or hospital more often<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, driving away loneliness is so powerful that it can make you 50% more likely to live longer<\/a>. This means that loneliness has the same impact on your health as a cigarette habit!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How To Feel Less Lonely<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The good news is that, like other health issues, loneliness is something that you can treat. Creating deeper connections is like any other skill \u2014 it\u2019s not something you\u2019re born with, and it\u2019s something you can actively learn and practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Find a hobby<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The first step in making new friends is to spend time around new people<\/a>. Becoming more connected to people with things in common can help decrease your sense of isolation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Choose an activity you enjoy, and see if there are any local groups with that focus. If you\u2019re not sure where your interests even lie at the moment, no problem! Try out a couple of different activities and see what sticks! You may want to look into:<\/p>\n\n\n\n