3 Tips to Help Strengthen Social Connections for a Happier Life

Did you know? Social interactions and leisure activities allow older adults to stay engaged with family, friends and their communities, leading to a higher quality of life and improving overall health and longevity.

A recent Harvard study of older people revealed a telling commonality: those who lived a happy life were always connected to family, friends and others who shared their interests.

How can you strengthen your own social connections? Here are three tips to help!

1. Use your skills and passions to build a network and surround yourself with like-minded people.

2. Listen more and talk less. It shows you are paying attention and are genuinely interested in the lives of those you are engaging with.

3. Get active at every age! Exercise leads to more feel-good hormones in your brain, like serotonin and dopamine, but is also a great way to meet new people.

So, don't let your age scare you away from making new connections!

AARP Michigan is proud to host many virtual and in-person events that can help you strength your social connections.

A prime example is AARP Michigan's AARP on Tap in Grand Rapids, which will help you meet new friends, while enjoying delicious bites and discounted drinks.

Register for the remaining AARP on Tap events for 2025 by clicking on the dates below:
June 10 from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. at Broad Leaf Brewery
October 8 from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. (Location TBD)

Click here to learn more about strengthening your social connections from Dr. Robert Waldinger, the director of Harvard's 85-year-long Adult Development Study.

Interested in volunteering at AARP on Tap?  Click here to fill out our volunteer interest form.

Find other events happening near you by visiting www.aarp.org/local.