Main point: "Good relationships keep us happier and healthier. Period."
Key points:
- "...only about 50 percent of Americans have 'meaningful in-person social interactions' on a daily basis -- and the numbers are worst for Generation Z."
- "The key way that people seem to be able to break the cycle of loneliness and begin to develop good relationships is to volunteer."
Volunteering makes sense. Rather than trying to navigate unstructured situations (how comfortable to you feel when you're by yourself at a cocktail party?), volunteering puts you in a more structured environment and forces interaction. From that, relationships can grow. I've made many friends that way.
While not a typical volunteer scenario, Nordic walking groups are a great way to build and deepen relationships. Get together on your own with other Nordic walkers to walk along your favorite paths. You'll have a great time with each other and get good exercise to boot.
