Loneliness occurs when your desire for connection is unfulfilled, often because you lack close relationships or are socially isolated. Engaging in social activities can reduce loneliness by encouraging you to form relationships.
Making it a practice to regularly attend a class, volunteer or engage with a club can bring you passion and pleasure. There are many options to choose from, and with some effort, you can find an activity that works for you.
Volunteer
Volunteering opportunities are an excellent way to meet people while supporting a cause. You can help cook and clean for some organizations. Others need assistance with creative and organizational tasks like web design or accounting. Volunteering redirects attention from personal struggles to the needs of others -- children, older adults, youth or unhoused people -- fostering an outward-looking and positive perspective. This sense of purpose helps reduce loneliness by reaffirming your value and impact on the world. It also provides the opportunity to form new connections. Some common places to volunteer include:
Libraries. Shelve books and facilitate special events, such as a reading hour or arts and crafts class.
Elementary schools. Supervise children during lessons, playtime and field trips.
Food pantries and soup kitchens. Help pack and ship food or use your cooking skills.
Parks. Assist with cleanup efforts or educational programs like nature walks.
Hospitals. Spend time with patients or contribute to a friendly atmosphere by assisting with check-in.
Museums. Utilize your historical or scientific knowledge to lead museum tours and answer patron questions.
Senior centers. Connect with older adults by playing games or engaging in conversation.
Explore your community
Your neighborhood or city might have more to offer than you realize. Exploring options outside your daily routine is a great way to learn about your community and meet people with similar interests. Ways to engage include:
Trying new cafes. Bond with regular customers or attend hosted trivia nights, concerts and open mic nights.
Visit museums and art galleries. Joining a tour or attending museum events are options for meeting like-minded people who enjoy learning about history, science, art or culture.
Attend festivals. These events are often themed around food, antiques, music, comics, art and books. Discover a new interest or engage in something you love with other festival attendees.
Geocache. Geocaching is an outdoor scavenger-hunting activity. Download the Geocaching app and collaborate with others to find hidden “caches” near interesting landmarks.
Advance your education
Learning increases self-confidence and boosts cognitive function, but it also can foster social connection. Joining a class or club allows you to practice with the support of others. Look to local community centers and schools for options, including:
Language classes. Speaking an additional language can help you communicate with people from another culture and gives you an edge in the job market. Practicing with others is one of the best ways to learn.
Creative classes. Taking music, dance, painting, drawing, sculpting or other creative classes is an enriching way to learn artistic skills.
Cooking classes. Add new recipes to your cooking rotation. Many classes encourage collaboration with classmates to make tasty dishes.
Chess clubs. Socializing is built into this activity, as players meet others at competitions and meetings. The over-1500-year-old game also helps improve problem-solving skills and memory ability.
Seminars. Universities, libraries and museums often host lectures by experts who specialize in various disciplines. Attending a seminar is a wonderful way to learn, ask questions and gather with people with similar academic interests.
Exercising
Studies show that exercise has many proven wellness benefits, including reducing the risk of heart disease and obesity, decreasing stress and improving mental health. Exercising alongside others helps motivate you and keep you accountable. Consider:
Joining a team sport. Many park districts and community centers host local sports events. Pickleball, basketball, badminton or hockey are excellent ways to exercise regularly and form close bonds with teammates by working together to win.
Taking an exercise class. The advantage of attending a boxing, cycling, Pilates or yoga class is that a teacher guides your routine, and you also can socialize with classmates before and after working out.
Get a gym membership. Gym staff and other attendees are often friendly and eager to help with unfamiliar gym equipment. Gym attendees often form close friendships and support each other in their fitness journeys.
Create and perform
Artists commonly form close relationships built on mutual support. Performing artists must trust fellow performers on stage, while fine artists admire, guide and inspire each other’s work. Creating art in the company of other artists allows you to express yourself with the support of others. Some collaborative creative activities include:
Writer’s workshops. Share engaging stories and make compelling arguments. Attending regular group workshops provides an opportunity to bond with other writers and receive helpful feedback.
Poetry slams. Slam poets can powerfully express their experiences and opinions, moving others to act or understand alternate perspectives. Connect with other poets at performances or as part of a team.
Dance troupes. There are many styles of dance to try, including ballet, jazz, hip-hop and tap. Dancing in a group can increase your body confidence and the emotional closeness between you and other dancers.
Playing in a band. Studies show that playing an instrument improves mindfulness, memory and motor ability. Playing alongside others requires you to be highly aware of each other for musical cohesion. Many communities have local bands or online forums where individuals can meet to form musical groups.
Community theater. Act on stage or try technical theater activities like operating a lighting board or building a set. Theater is collaborative; all technicians and actors must work together to put on a stellar performance.
Getting out and trying activities until you find one that you are excited about is the first step in moving beyond your loneliness and making a positive change in your life. Opening yourself to others can prove wonderfully rewarding.