Relationships
Social Activity
Staying Connected Matters!
Why?
Did you know that having someone who has your back is highly protective for your long-term health? This could be a friend, a family member, a partner, roommate or anyone who you feel you can trust and talk to. Loneliness and social isolation are risk factors for your health and can matter more than your cholesterol and blood pressure! Research shows that feeling socially connected and supported is a key factor in overall health and wellbeing no matter what age we are.
Did You Know?
- Spending social time with others can improve mood and actually reduce risk of depression, anxiety and many other mental health problems.
- Social connection also improves your brain performance, including memory, and lowers your risk of developing dementia later in life.
- Having someone you can confide in reduces your risk of stress-related illnesses for the long term.
Ideas to Get Started!
Call a friend for coffee, or get out for a walk together. Keeping it small and simple is the best way to set a goal you can achieve.
- Get to know an acquaintance a little better. There are likely people you cross paths with regularly but don't know very well. Invite yourself to be curious and about their week or how they are doing. Just listening can be a great way to connect more with someone.
- Challenge yourself to say "yes". Challenge yourself to say yes if invited out somewhere - a book club, a dance or a game night. It's not wrong to step outside your social comfort zone now and then!
- Be curious - invite yourself to try a hobby, new interest or consider trying out a group.Can you find social opportunities related to activities you already enjoy? As the seasons change, check out local community listings for free activities in the paper or online. Are you looking for LGBTQ support? Check out some useful online resources include PFLAG Canada.
Set a Valued Goal!
Set a valued SMART goal from the Ideas to get Started list, or choose one of your own. Remember the more specific, measurable and realistic your goal, the more likely you are to succeed!
Invitation: We invite you to try out The Wellness App to track your goal over the next 4 weeks. No goal is too small and The Wellness App will encourage you along the way!
Explore Further!
Still not sure what to do?
Learn more about the science behind Relationships in Evidence section and explore these links:
Connect to Community Resources and Services - 211 - A national directory of community programs.
Conversations with Youth - A program that connects seniors nationally with others through phone calls.
Volunteer Canada - An organization that connects Canadians to local volunteer opportunities.
What makes a good life? Lessons from the longest study on happiness - TED talk from the director of a 75-year old study on adult development and happiness.
Research on happiness and relationships - Guide to the most important studies connecting strong relationships and happiness.
Links to THRIVE Actions
