We all enjoy socialising and making new friends whenever we can; it’s fun and it makes us feel more connected to the people around us, not to mention an excellent way of exploring new avenues for relationships and enthralling new experiences.
But what about this time of year, when the long nights start drawing in and it just seems to get colder and gloomier – should we be staying in every night?
Of course it’s nice to curl up in front of the television once in a while, especially now it seems so miserable outside. But chances are, you’d missing out on a wealth of fantastic opportunities to get out there and have lots of seasonal fun with your peeps. That’s right folks, carpe that diem!
Keeps us happy
In fact, going out and enjoying yourself is never more important from a ‘health and happiness’ stand point than right now. The benefits of making new friends and keeping in regular contact with your existing ones can really help alleviate those winter blues we often hear about, and sometimes experience for ourselves. Feeling supported by others can do wonders for your state of mind; your confidence, your self-esteem, and your general sense of wellbeing. Now who wouldn’t want that?
Keeps us trim
Yup, we know it’s mighty tempting to stay indoors with a box set of Breaking Bad and a bowl of your favourite munchies, just because it’s getting cold outside, but prolonged periods of inactivity can lead to unnecessary weight gain and you don’t want to be slogging it in the gym come January when you could be enjoying yourself.
There are plenty of fun activities you can do together in the day or the evening to keep active; paint balling, go karting, indoor tennis… the possibilities are literally endless. Not only will they provide excellent opportunities to make new friends and try new things, but they will also keep your body and mind in great shape.
Keeps us looking forward
With the new year just around the corner, now is a really good time to meet up with friends and start making big plans for what’s to come. Nothing stirs up inspiration and aspiration like a group of people getting together and sharing their hopes and dreams for the future. If anything else, it’s a pretty good excuse to just go out and have some fun.