10 Ways to Connect with Other People
While there are plenty of benefits to aging, there are a whole lot of drawbacks. One of the biggest drawbacks is how our social circle dwindles, so it’s important to improve our aging process by making plenty of human connections. Here are 10 ways how to do that.
1. Start Before Retirement
It’s a lot easier to maintain your social network when you start building it early. Retirement can be lonely when you lose contact with the people you’re used to seeing every day. So, make sure those friendships that you value from your career are nurtured before you retire – and make time for the friends you made outside of work, too.
2. Connections Outside Work
You spend a lot of time at work, so it makes sense that most of your socializing is with colleagues, clients, and customers. However, it’s important to start expanding your circle outside of work. Why not strike up a conversation with your neighbors or the new couple at church?
3. Volunteer
For a long time, your job has defined you and your role – you’ve been part of a bigger picture, a greater goal. However, some people find a sense of purpose when they volunteer or throw themselves into a new hobby (or even a part-time job). There are a lot of volunteering options – whether you want to help kids with their school work, feed the homeless, tutor, join church activities or even coach a sport’s team.
4. Build Your Spousal Relationship
What better protection against loneliness and the side effects of aging than a happy, stable relationship? Whether you’re married or simply live with your partner, you can work on your romantic relationship to improve your social standing. Really, that goes for all of your familial relationships – it’s important that you repair and rebuild those.
5. Cultivate Relationships With Grandchildren & Children
A great way to avoid loneliness and isolation in your later years is to build healthy and strong relationships with your grandchildren and children. There’s nothing better than spending time with the people that bring out the best in you. It’s also helpful to have your nearby children willing to stop by, run errands, and provide you with rides when necessary. It’s a wonderful way to enrich your life.
6. Join A Group
Find a group that meets at least once a week – whether it’s volunteering, attending a community class or even a religious service. It provides you with an opportunity to socialize and beat loneliness. Think about what activities and interests you have and look for community groups that fit.
7. Stay Put
A lot of retirees think that moving to the mountains or closer to the beach is the perfect way to retire. That’s all well and good, but it means leaving your friends and family behind. That can lead you to loneliness and isolation. You’re better off staying put unless you are moving to get closer to your social network and loved ones.
8. Be Present
When you do spend time with others you should be fully present. Pay attention to the words they’re saying, as well as their nonverbal cues. Don’t pay attention to your phone or look around the room at everything but the person you’re trying to get to know. Make eye contact, actively listen, ask questions, and just get to know people.
9. Keep Your Heart On Your Sleeve
Don’t be afraid to share yourself with others – you have beliefs and ideas and if you want to engage people who share those, you have to share them first. People are naturally curious, and they want to know about you. So, have some good stories up your sleeve and be okay with sharing them. You’re more likely to be memorable if you’re willing to open up about who you are. That doesn’t mean you need to dictate the flow of conversation or lecture anyone. It’s simply about sharing what you’re passionate about.
10. First Impressions
Your body language plays a major role in the first impression you leave. It’s about your facial expressions, posture, and the cues you send tell others about what type of person you are. So, be careful about your gestures, expressions, and the tone of voice you use.