Reach out

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.