’No man is an island’. I have heard that phrase so many times in my lifetime. ‘A problem shared is a problem half solved’. That is another very popular saying. What those two phrases mean is that it is better to have people around you. It is very easy to say human beings are terrible but in the words of 2Baba “I know you cannot trust nobody but you have to trust someone”.
There are certain benefits of having friends besides networking or financial support. Friends are actually good for your health. I wish that you read this article and feel the need to reconnect with old friends or even go out and get connected to new ones.
Benefits of Friendship
It takes effort to stay connected. Between kids and work and everything else, people are busy. A friend of mine recently had a baby and almost cut off from our whole circle of friends. It would have been very easy for me to stay afar and sulk as the single one but I made an effort to preserve our friendship. If you can find the time and energy, you may be pleasantly surprised at how fulfilling it is to be there for someone. Friends are fun and they also have their uses. They help you:
Feel supported; sometimes friends are your first customers when starting a new venture
Stay mentally sharp
Reach your goals
Develop a more active lifestyle; this holds true if you exercise or play sports together
Reduce stress
Have better health outcomes
Lengthen your lifespan
Are there benefits of being a loner? Some researchers believe that social isolation can lead to a state of ongoing stress, which can eventually cause serious health problems. So staying connected has many benefits.
Tips for Building a Network of Friends
There are many ways to develop social connections in your community. Here are a few ideas:
Take classes in yoga, crafts, cooking even professional courses or something else that interests you
Get involved at your place of worship, a club or other organization
Volunteer for a cause you believe in e.g Slum to School or any active charity around you
Start or join a book club
Start a travel club
Join a fitness center or gym
Plan a social gathering, like a games or movie night.
As you are meeting new people, be sure to keep up with the friends you’ve already got. Devoting more time and energy to these friendships can lead to deeper, more rewarding relationships.
Connect online
Friendships can grow through online communities, too. There are plenty of sites that have been designed for social interaction, but if you use them try not to be gullible to fraudsters.
