An Empty Nester’s Guide to New Connections FRIENDS WANTED!
after people become parents.” So, it’s unsurprising that many empty nesters feel lonely and isolated after their children leave; friendships have taken the backseat to parenthood over the previous 18 years. Research, however, shows that a lack of social connections as individuals age can lead to a higher risk of depression, poor sleep, cognitive decline, cardiovascular disease, and a weakened immune system. Even though making friends can be challenging for empty nesters and older adults, these three tips can help you find new friends! Get out and practice! Unfortunately, new friends won’t just show up at your door. Look for events in your community and attend them! It may feel nerve-wracking initially, but most events typically only last an hour, and you can
try as many as you’d like! You’ll be around people with similar interests, making finding new friends easier. Be intentional. If you attend an event or find yourself out and about, make a concerted effort to make friends, not just idle chit-chat. If you notice someone else sitting alone, strike up a conversation! Or, if you start talking with someone and really click with them, ask for their phone number or email to stay in touch. Stay optimistic. Not every person you meet will want to be friends, but that doesn’t mean you should stop trying. Even if all of your efforts only result in one new friendship, that’s one new person you didn’t have in your life before, and sometimes, that’s all it takes to make a difference.
When parents become empty nesters, they have much more time on their hands — more time with their spouses, after work, and more time to focus on what they want to do! But for many empty nesters, all this extra time can invoke loneliness — especially if they don’t have friends to share it with. The truth is that having kids and raising a family takes focus. For example, a survey by Action for Children found that 68% of parents felt they had become “cut off from friends, colleagues, and family after the birth of a child.” Another study from Demographic Research found that “the strength of friendships typically decreases Upcoming Coach’s Corner Webinars!
Our monthly Coach’s Corner Webinars are just around the corner, so be sure to add these dates to your calendar! August 22, 2023, at 5:30 p.m. – George Vrban of Movement Mortgage Topic: Reverse Mortgages September 26, 2023, at 5:30 p.m. – Matt Harrod, Estate Planning Attorney Topic: Estate Planning Updates and Financial Protection for Unmarried Couples October 24, 2023, at 5:30 p.m. – Sheriff Michelle Cook Topic: Protect Yourself and Your Home From Fraud November 28, 2023, at 5:30 p.m. – Brandon White of Coyle Capital Topic: Market Updates
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