If we want a strong social support system, we have to be systematic and intentional. You can begin by taking care of yourself so that you have the mental and emotional space to be a good friend to someone else. This means you are working on supporting a friend without losing yourself and deciding what you need from a friendship. What makes your friend personality profile unique? Think about the special traits and quirks that make-up who you are.

• Try something new. When you find an activity you enjoy, you can find people to join you. Think of sports or hobbies you’ve always wanted to try but placed on the backburner. Now is the time to make new connections and keep your brain young.
  
  I’ve met wonderful women who are younger or older than me while engaging in some interesting activity. What we share is a passion for a hobby, irrespective of our ages. We are able to see the commonalities that we have and it’s an enriching experience.

• Volunteer. Volunteering is really about helping yourself, more than the person. Helping someone else can lead to a helper’ s high, social opportunities, skill-building, and possible friendships with people who share similar values. There are so many creative ways to volunteer, beyond the typical tasks that people think of, so start to offer your gifts and services.

• Strengthen Your Connections-Open your calendar and make plans to visit regularly. Consider these plans important appointments. Stay in touch with emails and texts. Old contacts share a history and sense of ease so it is worth reconnecting. Don’t let too much time pass before reaching out and taking responsibility for your social life, unless you know someone who loves to bring people together. Don’t take people for granted because you are too “busy”.