Re:Cognition Health Consultant Psychiatrist, Dr Dimitrios Paschos, has been featured on Yahoo News in an article investigating loneliness in adults.
“There are many benefits to having close friendships and social networks,” says Dr Paschos. “Not only do friendships increase self-confidence and self-worth, but friends and confidants are also great for listening to problems and helping through difficult times, offering advice, help and support.”
Dr Paschos also believes that friends can help reduce stress and improve happiness, “Adults with strong social and friendship circles can experience better overall health with lower risk of depression, unhealthy BMI, cognitive impairment and high blood pressure. Studies have also indicated that older adults with active social lives live longer, so it’s time to widen the friendship net!”
Dr Paschos offers his expert advice to adults to help develop new friendships:
- Take a lunch break! The socialising that happens during a lunch break with colleagues can have a positive impact on your enjoyment of the workplace, helping individuals develop friendships and encourage information sharing, which are beneficial to individuals as well as the workplace as a whole.
- Join a club or social group. Having mutual hobbies and interests is a great start to making friends as an adult, helping foster relationships faster and more easily. Whether it’s sport, cars, gardening, craft or areas of academia, you will meet like-minded people and have ready-made conversation starters!
- Be open to new experiences and opportunities. It’s important to explore things out of your comfort zone – this could open a whole new world of possibilities and friendships
- Reconnect with old friends. There are so many reasons for losing touch with friends over the years. There could be an instant friendship circle ready to reignite and it is surprising how easy it can be to pick up where you left off; regardless of the years that have passed.
- Make an effort. Friendships do take commitment and it’s important to invest the time in friendships on a regular basis.
To read the full article, click here
To book a consultation with Dr Paschos connect with our patient coordinators here