Cultivating a strong network of good friends can really make a difference to your mental health. It’s a good idea to build these relationships when you are in a good place in your life, so that if something happens and you need support, you already have an existing pool of people to reach out to. Trying to establish new relationships when you feel low is very difficult.
Connection with others is important for your mental health because these relationships can:
• increase your sense of self-worth,
• provide a feeling of belonging,
• give you a sense of purpose,
• facilitate a place to share the good things in life,
• create a safety net for the times when you need support,
• brings a group of people who you can help.
Children generally find it easy to make new friends. Toddlers at a park are not worried about what other people think of them – they just want someone to play with. It can be more tricky as an adult. (1)
There are many ways to build good relationships. You might like to try:
• Joining a group with a common interest. This could be a sport, a book, movie or service club. (2)
• Reconnect with people you’ve known for some time, but have lost touch with. Suggest a coffee of a meal together. Sometimes we just let relationships slip, but it’s simple to reconnect.
• Spend quality time with your family. A regular Family Dinner can being everyone together.
• If your family is far away, make the best use of technology and connect by zoom or facetime. Even a regular phone call can strengthen relationships.
• If you see the same people every time you’re at the gym, stop and have a chat.
• Do you know your neighbours? It’s a good strategy to know who lives next to you in case of an emergency, but also just for a an opportunity to connect.
• If your kids are at school or a sports team, there are often events to meet other parents who are in the same life stage as you. Having a chat while your kids are in ballet class is easy while all the parents are waiting together.
Healthy relationships have many benefits, both immediate and in the case of emergency. Don’t wait for a crisis to connect, take the steps now and you’ll feel the benefits to you mental health.
(1) https://theconversation.com/why-do-we-find-making-new-friends-so-hard-as-adults-171740
(2) https://www.forbes.com/sites/traversmark/2023/03/13/a-psychologist-shares-two-tips-to-help-you-make-friends-as-an-adult/?sh=260820fd2eae
