Clinical psychologist Jacqui Maguire encourages us to spend time with the people who make us feel seen, heard and important, and to help others feel that way too. It could be a walk, a kōrero, a coffee catch-up or playing a sport together – whatever helps you to connect with the people in your life.
Simple actions to help tackle loneliness
Loneliness is becoming more common, but small actions can help us all feel more connected.
Our connections with others play an important role in our wellbeing, giving us a sense of purpose and belonging. But loneliness is becoming more common, with over 760,000 New Zealanders feeling lonely some of the time. Loneliness can happen when our connections don't feel as strong or as meaningful as we'd like them to be.
The good news? There are small things we can do every day to help us all feel more connected and a little less lonely.
Small actions like reaching out to an older whānau member, inviting a new colleague to have lunch with you, or including a friend in a social event can help them feel more connected and supported.
It might be a hiking group, book club, volunteering opportunity, or a free community class. Joining a group can help you build new connections through shared interests. Websites like Meet Up or Seek Volunteer can be a good place to start.
Visit your local shops, cafe, park, library or other community space – just being around people can help you feel connected to others.
Whether it’s a cuddle, walk, or play session, time spent with a furry friend can offer companionship and a sense of purpose. No pet? Offer to care for a friend or neighbour’s pet instead.
Is there a place that helps you feel closer to others? It could be a favourite beach or childhood camping spot, your local sports club, or somewhere that helps you feel more connected to your whānau or culture.
Finding connection at work
For many of us, work can be a powerful source of connection, boosting wellbeing and job satisfaction. Workplaces that prioritise connection can play a big role in reducing loneliness and helping their people feel like they belong.
If you are manager in the workplace, we’ve put together some tips to help you support your team to build connections at work.
Whether they are working from home or in person, collaborative projects, regular check-ins and peer mentoring can help people feel more valued and supported. Moments of informal connection, like coffee catch-ups or an online group chat, can help the team get to know each other better too.
This could be a regular team lunch, a volunteering day, or a social sports team. Spending time together outside of the usual work tasks can help strengthen connections amongst colleagues.
If you know someone who could be lonely at work, check in. Younger people, remote workers, and new employees are among those who are more likely to experience loneliness at work. Even a short kōrero can help them feel more connected.
Encourage your team to nurture their connections outside of work too. Supporting them to have a healthy work life balance and setting boundaries around overtime can give them space to focus on relationships with friends and whānau.
Popular links
Popular resources
Share this page
There is no health without mental health
Help ensure everyone in Aotearoa has the tools to enjoy positive mental health and wellbeing.
Did you find this article useful?