Social support has been shown to contribute to psychological wellbeing.
People with social support networks report feeling less lonely and stressed and more secure. They also report having higher self-esteem. Research shows people who are socially connected stay healthier and live longer.
Volunteering in your community, doing a course or joining a walking club are ideas for building up your network of friends. And don’t forget about the friends you already have.
Good news: according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) better life index, Ireland is high in the rankings of many measures of wellbeing relative to other countries, and it ranks first in social connections.