Connecting with people

Social isolation is where you have little or no contact with other people an it can affect your physical and metal wellbeing. Read more about social isolation.

Being alone or socially isolated from others may be your choice. But if it's not, there are things you can do to make connections with others and become more involved with whānau, friends and the wider community.
 

Image credit: 123rf

Join a local group

See what’s going on in your local community and get involved. Some examples of local groups can include zumba, tai chi, meditation classes, sports clubs or knitting groups. It’s a good idea to ask at your local library to find out what activity groups they're running that you might like to attend. Some libraries even run health and wellbeing sessions for free. This is a good way to meet local people who have similar interests and learn some new things. 

Set aside family time

Family life can be very busy, especially if you have children. Make sure you set aside time each week where you do something as a family. This might be a family movie or game night, picnics or walks. Having dinner together each night is also a good way to connect on a daily basis.

Invite some friends around or go out together

Sometimes you have to put yourself out there and do the inviting. Invite a friend or group of friends around to share a meal, watch a sports match or movie, or do an activity together while you share some delicious snacks and conversations:

• Get some old magazines and make your own vision boards.
• Do a jigsaw.
• Learn to draw, paint, knit or crochet.
• Learn some wood working skills.

You might prefer to arrange to meet up somewhere – you could go to a café or restaurant or out for a walk.

Volunteer

Volunteering is a great way to meet people and make new connections. Plus, you’re doing something good for someone and/or your community. This can be a great way to give back to your community, make new friends and uncover new passions. 

Contact an old friend

Pick up the phone and contact an old friend or whānau member you haven’t seen for a while. Have a yarn on the phone or catch up in person. It’s very easy nowadays to go without talking and seeing friends and loved ones as messaging is quite a common way of communicating. But nothing beats seeing your loved ones in person! 

Smile!

Be friendly and smile. Being approachable is a great way to connect with others and to show you’re willing to engage with them.

Ask questions

Asking open ended questions is always a good way to get a conversation going. It shows you’re interested in the other person, plus it’s a good way to get to know them. Remember to offer up information about yourself, so they can get to know you.

Offer someone a compliment

Offering a compliment can be a great ice breaker. It makes you and the person receiving the compliment feel good and may lead to a really interesting conversation or even making a new friend.

Have device-free time

Put your devices away when you are out with friends or family. It’s hard to connect in a meaningful way if everyone is distracted by their phones.

Be yourself

The most important thing is to be yourself. Being your authentic self and not trying to be someone else will help you connect with like-minded people in a genuine way.