By Stephanie Chilton -
October 19th is National New Friends Day, an event created to remind you to make new connections in your life. But why bother?
Apparently, friendship offers significant benefits for your mental and physical health. Strong social connections can reduce stress, lower the risk of depression, and improve overall emotional well-being. Friends provide a safe emotional space where you can be yourself, helping to buffer against life’s challenges. Social bonds are linked to improved immune function and heart health, helping you to live longer.
However, making new friends can be daunting. Where do you start?
Try a new hobby
Whether you love art, music, sport or origami, you will not be the only one. However obscure your passions, someone out there shares the same interest as you. Chances are you will find them at a relevant club, class or event. Even if you go along and don’t end up chatting to anyone, you’ll still be taking part in an activity that you enjoy.
Coffee and cake
Who doesn’t love coffee, cake, and a quick natter? Maybe there’s someone at work, local shop, or in your support group who always seems friendly. Take a chance and invite them for cake. What’s the worse that could happen? If they say no you haven’t lost anything, but if they say yes then you’ve gained a friend and some cake.
Take an interest
Take an interest in the people you see day to day - colleagues, customers, fellow commuters. Notice what’s unique about them. Find something to compliment them. Search for things that you have in common. Find out what’s going on in their lives. You never know where your next conversation may lead.
Go out and do anything!
The exciting thing about this life is that you never know what, or more to the point who, is just around the corner. But if you stay at home you won’t find out!
Be as you as you can be
You will not find a kindred spirit by hiding away who you really are. Yesterday I made a new connection just popping to the gas station in my black cat jumper. I am an animal lover, black cats in particular. The lady who served me complimented my jumper and we discovered that we both own black cats and we share the same first name. She had a really interesting story about who she was named after too (apologies to the customers in the queue behind me who just want to pay for their gas and leave!).
How did you meet your old friends?
I met mine through education, shared accommodation, friends of friends, my hobbies, my children’s nurseries, schools, and hobbies. How did you meet yours? This might give you some great places to start.
At Mature Allure we believe that the wisdom you’ve gained over the years is your greatest asset and should be shared with the world. This National New Friends Day, tell us about your bestie - how did you meet yours?
