Reduced Stress and Anxiety: by providing emotional support, a sense of belonging, and a distraction from daily worries.

Improved Mental Health: social connections can help improve our mood, reduce symptoms of depression, and even alleviate symptoms of dementia.

Boosted Immune System: seeing friends can strengthen our immune system by reducing stress.

Increased Longevity: Studies have shown that people with strong social connections tend to live longer than those who are socially isolated.

Better Brain Health: Mixing with others keeps our brains active and healthy by challenging our minds and promoting cognitive function.

Increased Self-Esteem: Socialising can help improve our self-esteem by providing a sense of belonging, validation, and confidence.

Improved Physical Health: It can also have a positive impact on our physical health, such as reducing blood pressure, improving sleep quality, and increasing physical activity.

Positive Influence on Lifestyle Habits: Social interactions can positively influence our lifestyle habits, such as exercising, eating healthier, and quitting smoking. When we surround ourselves with people who make healthy choices, we are more likely to adopt similar habits.

Identify Your Reasons: Anxiety is a common reason why people hate socialising. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, take a step back and identify what’s causing your anxiety. Is it fear of rejection, fear of being judged, or something else? Once you understand your reasons, you can work on addressing them.

Create a Social Routine: Establishing a regular social routine can help you feel more comfortable and confident. This can be as simple as meeting a friend for coffee once a week or joining a club or group that aligns with your interests.

Find Common Ground: When meeting new people, try to find common ground or shared interests. This can help you build connections and make conversations easier.

Practice Self-Compassion: Remember that everyone makes mistakes, and it’s okay to not be perfect. Practice self-compassion and treat yourself with kindness, just as you would a friend.

Take Small Steps: Don’t try to tackle everything at once. Take small steps, such as attending a small gathering or meeting one new person at a time.

Seek Support: If you’re struggling with social anxiety or feelings of overwhelm, consider seeking support from a professional counsellor or trusted friend or family member.

Focus on Others: Instead of worrying about yourself, try focusing on others. Ask questions, listen actively, and show genuine interest in their lives.

Be Yourself: Authenticity is key in social situations. Be yourself, and don’t try to be someone you’re not. People are more likely to be drawn to someone who is genuine and authentic.

Learn to Laugh at Yourself: Laughing at yourself can help you relax and put others at ease. Don’t take yourself too seriously, and remember that everyone makes mistakes.

If noise or trigger sounds are overwhelming and affect you relaxing in social situations, grab a pair of Calmer. They’re cleverly designed to reduce the stressful and triggering elements of sound, without blocking your hearing like ear plugs do. Think sharp, spiky, or sudden sounds, or even mouth noises like people eating - Calmer smooths them making them less stressful.