Socialization

Isolation goes far beyond just feeling lonely and living a life of isolation increases your risk of an early death. Socializing has an important part to play in your health and studies indicate that a poor social network can double your risk of an early death, while others suggest the number is closed to 90% (Social Relationships and Mortality Risk: A Meta-analytic Review; Holt-Lunstad, et al.)

Neither is a number you want to mess with and they are similar to the risks of obesity, a lack of physical fitness, and smoking.

The risk of isolation is real and it can seriously affect a variety of health issues, from alcoholism to mental health breakdown, here are just some of the common issues that isolation causes: Continue reading

Can you imagine how difficult it would be for you to stay locked away for a long period of time without having any type of social interaction? Most people would be utterly exhausted just at the prospect of enduring this type of loneliness. This is because humans are social creatures and even the most anti-social among us will crave social contact.

Our social interactions are dwindling, though, and one of the biggest reasons for this is our reliance on technology. While exchanging texts and emails is convenient and nice, there is nothing quite like enjoying face to face time with a loved one.

Unfortunately, we are driven by social media and instead of meeting up with others we stick our noses in our screens and exchanging pleasantries via the web. Socializing is incredibly important, though, and it can determine your mental health. Just look at how socializing can help your mental health. Continue reading

Have you ever felt like a square peg in a round hole? Have you ever tried to shoehorn yourself into a personality or situation that didn’t feel right to you?

That’s how most introverts feel and if you’re one of those people you’ll know how much you’d prefer to stay at home with a good movie or book and hang out in your sweats. Why would anyone want to go to loud parties or go to a club?

The most dangerous thing introverts can do, though, is hide themselves away from other people. Even though you prefer spending time on your own and despise being caught up in anxiety-inducing social situations you still need to build social connections.

Don’t worry, that doesn’t mean you have to do it by hanging out in bars. Continue reading