Have you ever wondered why you can’t stop checking your Facebook notifications or are unwilling to sacrifice a family event for an office meeting?

This is because it’s human nature to desire the company of others. Humans are genetically designed to socialise and this is how it’s been since the beginning of time.

Unfortunately, people have started to socialise less or stopped altogether. Today, many are too self-absorbed with the fulfilment of their personal dreams, objectives and careers.

In the midst of this rat race, many people have forgotten how beneficial socialising is.

The benefits of socialising

In general, socialising links you to society. This has a positive impact on your physical, mental and emotional health.

• When you interact with others, feelings of being alone and helpless begin to dissipate. You are better able to deal with your problems and have more confidence to handle the different situations life throws at you.
• Experts from University College Dublin have discovered that an increase in socialising can decrease stress and ease depression.
• Negative emotions such as hopelessness, unhappiness, fear and anxiety can ruin your emotional health. Socialisation can overcome these negative emotions because interacting with others often generates good feelings.

• Additionally, socialising offers you the opportunity to discuss and share your problems with others, thereby allowing you to unburden yourself of them.
• Scientific evidence also supports the claim that socialising improves memory and enhances intellectual brain activity. It has a similar impact to that of playing games that exercise the mind. The chances of contracting psychological diseases such as Alzheimer’s, reduces significantly.
• Socialising can also be seen as the free treatment for cancer as it results in “progressive stress”. According to a report in the Daily Telegraph, progressive stress causes cancer tumours to contract gradually to the point of vanishing.
• Networking is a vital part of today’s competitive job market. It’s tough to succeed in your field unless you have a good network of individuals. By socialising at professional events, you can include the best people in your perfect network.

Easy ways to socialise more

Here are some effective solutions to help you free-up time for the purpose of socialising.

• Join a scheduled event. This will ensure you get to socialise with others on a regular basis. Scheduled socialising events can be a book club, sports club or mothers’ club.
• Use social media. Take full advantage of social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter. These platforms are far more fulfilling than random chatting sites like MySpace and Hi5.

• Socialise with your peers. Socialising with your co-workers will help you forge good relationships with them. Why not organise a potluck every once in a while?
• Maintain a good relationship with your boss. If you are a boss yourself, socialise with your employees. Organise events like picnics or parties in order to get to know them better.
• Keep your family close. As an employee or employer, you are recommended to place photos of your loved ones at your workstation. Looking at them at random times in the day will produce identical effects to that of socialising.
• Socialise as you perform your daily activities. Say ‘hello’ to those you meet while on your morning walk or at the office car park. Studies suggest that meeting the same people routinely can heighten the benefits of socialising.
• Encourage your kids to socialise. If you have kids, allow them the freedom to socialise virtually or/and in reality. Do not insist they spend all their time studying to score straight As in every examination. Bear in mind, that a moderate degree of socialising will increase your kids’ cognitive health and make them better students.

This article first appeared in The New Savvy.

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