3 tips to increase social interaction and meaningful connections

(NC) As physical distancing has us spending more time home alone and less with friends and family, our mental health and well-being have been negatively impacted. Even before the pandemic, feelings of disconnection were on the rise.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to increase your social interactions and boost your mood. Whether you’re looking for more long-term connections as an empty nester or a stay-at-home parent, or just wanting more human contact during the pandemic, consider these suggestions:

1. Join a club or community organization. You can find a club, a committee or an organization for almost anything under the sun. Whether you’re super passionate about spy novels, sourdough baking or adding more bike lanes in your neighbourhood, getting involved in something you’re interested in can help you meet like-minded people and have great conversations. Can’t find a club you like? Start your own.
2. Sign up for an interesting course. Learning something can help boost self-confidence and feelings of productivity, and when you do it by participating in an organized course you can also get social benefits from interacting with your peers. Even if your classes are held remotely now, you can strike up new friendships during group projects or by suggesting virtual hangouts after a lesson. Check out post-secondary continuing education departments or your local community centre for ideas.
3. Look for new job opportunities. A new job is a great way to build a network and new relationships, and one that you can do from home on your own schedule is a great place to start. A career in direct selling provides people with an opportunity to connect with one another on a personal level. Whether it’s discussing a product over coffee or a virtual evening with friends, travelling to training conferences or simply connecting over the phone, it’s a great option for reconnecting with others. In fact, there are many reasons to become a direct seller — 37 per cent of direct selling consultants say one of the reasons they do it is to meet new people, while 30 per cent want to associate with like-minded people.

Learn more about direct selling at dsa.ca.