Together is Better Than Alone
Scientific studies have proven that a lack of social interaction reduces life expectancy.
Social media and home deliveries mean that people socialize less.
Signing up for social activities is a very effective way to break out of loneliness.
Join an activity group, neighborhood association, or club near you. If nothing appeals to you, start your own association or club.
By signing up for a social activity, whether it’s sports, arts, literature, or even “meetups” for expats, or by joining an association that organizes outings, you’ll kill two birds with one stone.
You’ll meet new people who may become new friends.
In a club, each member can suggest an activity. The activity can take place at a member’s home, in a room rented by the club, in a café, in a public place, or outdoors. A leader is appointed for each activity. This person is responsible for organizing the event: collecting participants’ email addresses and sending them emails to set the dates and times of the meetings, organizing the meeting place, choosing the topics for each session, etc.
This may include:
Organizing a coffee or an aperitif or a meal
Leading a book club focused on an author or a language, for example
Giving language lessons or conversation classes in a foreign language
Suggesting board games: chess, Mahjong, bridge, backgammon, bingo, Scrabble, Rummikub, crossword puzzles, etc.
Leading a singing class, choir, or karaoke
Forming a music group
Organizing a walk or hike
Playing a sport: tennis, badminton, Nordic walking, bowling, skiing, ice skating, martial arts, cycling, golf, yoga, dancing (why not line dancing?), soccer, etc.
Organize trips to see art exhibitions, monuments, zoos, museums, or to visit a city.
Organize trips to the pool or spa
Organize conferences
Offer gardening
Do genealogy
Prepare meals, with everyone bringing a dish based on a chosen theme, such as a country
Get together for sewing, crochet, or knitting
Organize writing themes
Organize photography themes
Organize meetings for parents with young children, for example at the park.
Making cards or jewelry or mosaics or other creative hobbies.
It is also possible to take classes, but this will cost more.
Activism for an association can make you feel useful. For example, Greenpeace, sea rescuers, firefighters, etc.
Volunteering can help people suffering from loneliness feel more socially connected and emotionally satisfied. The encounters that result can also provide an opportunity to talk about the loneliness you feel and realize that other people may be suffering in the same way.
You can also offer your services to care for elderly people or children (babysitting, homework help, camps during school holidays, etc.), either paid or unpaid. Some elderly people deliberately injure themselves to go to the hospital and see people. This is costly to society.
These activities have enormous social value.
If there were a universal basic income or a reduction in working hours, there would be more activities during the week, during the day, in the evening, and on weekends.
All ideas are welcome!
Vaincre la solitude : 6 habitudes à mettre en place pour s’en libérer – Psychologies: https://www.psychologies.com/Moi/Moi-et-les-autres/Solitude/Articles-et-Dossiers/6-habitudes-pour-lutter-contre-la-solitude
What happens to your brain without any social contact? – Terry Kupers – Ted-Ed: https://youtu.be/USW8yf4L-R4?si=O5CYPxt3AKOhOqaD
Translated with Deepl
