5 Ways To Stay Socially Connected As An Adult

For many, transitioning into adulthood means sacrificing their social life. Juggling work duties, family responsibilities, and other commitments can take so much time that you barely have enough left for other activities. Unfortunately, that can lead to a life of social isolation. Studies show that adults with better social connections are more likely to have better mental and physical health. They’re also better able to cope with stress, depression, anxiety, and hard times – common in adulthood. So, if you’re drifting away from a social life, use these tips to stay socially connected. 

1. Address your barriers to social connection

First, you want to discover why you’re no longer socially active. What changes have occurred in your life to make you less socially active? For example, have illnesses taken too much of your energy and time? Do you spend too much time behind the screen? Are you tied up with work? Or have you lost interest in social interaction? Knowing the cause will help you address the problem. Have illnesses kept you indoors? Start taking good care of your health. If you’re addicted to screens, start a digital detox, and don’t let technology distract you from engaging with people. Do you have a tight work schedule? Find ways to sneak social activities you love into your busy day. For example, instead of working out or eating alone, do so with a friend. 

2. Work on your thoughts

The way you think can change your attitude towards social connections. For example, you can easily convince yourself that you’re an introvert and don’t need to be socially active. You can also convince yourself that human interactions are no longer worth it because of your bad experience. In such cases, your thinking can keep you from staying socially connected. So, work on your thoughts. While there’s nothing wrong with being an introvert, that shouldn’t stop you from connecting with others. If energetic extroverts drain you, find other introverts to hang out with. It’s better than isolating yourself. Also, try to overcome bad social experiences you had with other people. Give yourself another try, and do your best to avoid the type of people that hurt you in the past. 

3. Focus only on activities you enjoy

Being socially connected does not have to feel like a chore; you should enjoy it to make the most of it. So, focus only on activities you love. For example, if you enjoy reading, join a book club. If you love to cycle, find a cycling club in your area. And if you’re religious, join a faith-based group you believe in. Depending on your faith, many options are available; for example, Christianity includes charismatic churches, Catholic churches, and Mormon churches. There are also other faith-based groups outside the traditional that you can join. For example, if you have a Black heritage and are interested in Mormonism, you can search online for Blacks in Mormonism to learn more about the church’s diversity. You can try many more activities to keep you socially connected, such as joining groups related to your skills, career plan, or life goals. But don’t just join a group; do your best to be active in that group, which leads to the next point. 

4. Be more active in your preferred social group

It’s easy to feel alone even when surrounded by many. That usually happens when you’re part of large groups like in church or religious gatherings. So, find a way to put yourself out there and be more active in your group. For example, consider taking up responsibilities or leadership roles in your preferred social group. Even if you don’t want to be in a leadership role, you can participate in outreaches, trips, volunteer work, and other activities in which your social group may be involved. 

5. Go old-school

How did people stay in touch before online chats and emails came around? You probably remember having a pen pal if you’re old enough. Pen pals regularly write each other letters and send postcards, especially over long distances and through mail. You can return to this old-school approach if you’re physically unable to remain socially active. There’s something exciting about finding a letter or a postcard in your mailbox from a friendly acquaintance. And yes, pen pals still exist. Nowadays, it’s easier to find a pen pal than ever before, even if you want someone from a specific part of the world with specific interests. Pen pals have numerous benefits for older adults feeling alone or having mobility restrictions.