Discover the importance of social relations for your health and learn effective ways to make new friends.

Making new friends can be a rewarding experience, especially in a medical environment where camaraderie and support play a vital role. Establishing links with colleagues can improve collaboration, foster a positive work environment and even improve patient care. Whether you are a medical and research professional student or researcher, here are some strategies that will help you make new friends in the field of medicine.

1. Attend Medical Conferences and Workshops

Attending conferences and medical workshops is an excellent way to meet people with related ideas who share their passion for health. These acts offer the opportunity to establish contacts and establish conversations with professionals from various medical specialties. Take the most of your attendance actively participating in the sessions, joining group activities and starting conversations during breaks. Be open to exchange contact information and connect on professional platforms such as LinkedIn.

2. Join Professional Organizations and Clubs

Joining professional organizations and clubs related to your field of interest can provide you with a platform to learn about new friends within the medical community. It is already a local medical society, a research group or an interes t-based club, these organizations offer events to establish contacts and social activities that can help foster connections. Actively participate in their meetings, forums and social meetings. Participating in debates and sharing your views can create opportunities to establish significant connections with other members.

3. Utilize Online Platforms and Social Media

Use online platforms and social networks to expand your professional network and make new friends in the medical field. Join relevant medical groups on platforms such as Facebook, Twitter or Reddit, where you can connect with professionals around the world. Participate in debates, ask questions and offer your experience to establish your presence in the community. In addition, consider the possibility of creating a professional online profile on platforms such as Daxxity or Researchgate, where you can connect with colleagues, share publications and explore research collaborations.

How to Meet New Friends: 6 Practical Tips

1. Engage in group activities or community events

If you’re looking to meet new friends, participating in group activities or community events can be an ideal way to connect with like-minded people. Joining a sports team, attending hobby clubs or workshops, or volunteering at local organizations not only provides the opportunity to meet new people, but also allows you to bond over common interests and passions. By actively participating in these activities, you will increase your chances of meeting potential friends with similar values and hobbies.

Pro tip: Take the initiative to strike up conversations with people you meet at group activities or community events. Showing interest in others and actively listening is essential to establishing meaningful connections.

2. Leverage online platforms and social media

In today’s digital age, online platforms and social media offer endless opportunities to connect with people who share your interests. Join communities, forums or social media groups related to your hobbies, profession or personal interests. Engage in discussions, share your ideas, and interact with others in meaningful ways. Online platforms offer a convenient platform to engage in conversations and network with people from different backgrounds and locations.

1. Create an attractive profile that shows your interests and values.
2. Actively participate in discussions and interact with others on the platform.
3. Take conversations offline by proposing a meeting or event.

3. Attend networking events and social gatherings

Networking events and social gatherings are great opportunities to expand your social circle and meet new people, especially if you are looking to make friends with people who share similar professional interests. Attend industry conferences, seminars, or local networking events to meet people who are in your field or have similar career aspirations. These events provide an environment conducive to professional networking and can potentially lead to lasting friendships.

Expand Your Social Circle through Hobbies and Interests

1. Join clubs and organizations related to your passion

An effective way to meet new friends who share your interests is to join clubs or organizations related to your hobbies. Whether it’s a book club, hiking group, or cooking class, these communities offer a platform to connect with like-minded people who have similar passions. You can easily find local clubs by searching the Internet or checking bulletin boards in your area. Participating in club activities not only helps you expand your social circle, but also allows you to improve your skills and knowledge in your chosen field.

2. Participate in group fitness activities

Another great way to expand your social circle is to participate in group fitness activities. Whether it’s a yoga class, a Zumba session, or a team sport, exercising with others creates an environment of camaraderie and social interaction. You can join a local gym or community center to explore different fitness classes or consider joining a recreational sports league. These activities not only benefit your physical health, but also offer the opportunity to bond with other participants who share a common interest in leading an active lifestyle.

“By pursuing hobbies and interests, we not only meet new friends, but we also improve our mental well-being and overall quality of life.”

3. Attend workshops and conferences

Workshops and conferences focused on your interests offer a great platform to meet people who are enthusiastic about the same topic. These events attract people eager to expand their knowledge, skills and networks. Actively participating in these meetings not only provides the opportunity to make new connections, but also encourages intellectual growth and allows you to stay up to date with the latest developments in your field. Search the Internet for relevant workshops or conferences in your area and mark your calendar for these enriching events.

Expanding your social circle through hobbies and interests is an effective way to improve your personal and social life. By actively investing time and energy in activities you are passionate about, you open doors to new friendships, experiences, and personal growth. So, get out of your comfort zone and explore the countless possibilities that await you!

Utilize Social Media and Online Platforms to Connect with Like-Minded Individuals

1. Join online communities: Internet offers a plethora of online communities that meet various interests and hobbies. If you are passionate about trips, photography, kitchen or fitness, there is likely to be an online community where you can connect with people who share your enthusiasm. These communities usually work through forums, advertising planks or specialized social media groups, which offer a platform for animated debates and information exchange.

• For example: if you are passionate about photography, join online photography forums where you can share your work, ask for advice and start conversations with other photographers. You can also meet local photography clubs or events in which to meet new friends.

1. Experiment with different platforms: although Facebook is the most popular social network, there are many other platforms that respond to specific interests and demographic groups.
2. For example: If you are interested in establishing professional contacts, LinkedIn can be a valuable platform to connect with related people from your sector or work scope.
3. Another alternative: if you are a creative person, platforms such as Instagram or Tumblr can be ideal to connect with people who appreciate and share your artistic efforts.

Remember that, when using social networks and online platforms, it is important to address interactions with caution and be aware of your safety. It is advisable to verify the authenticity and credibility of people before disseminating personal information or staying in person.

2. Attend virtual events and web seminars: in the digital era, attending virtual events and web seminars is increasingly popular. These events usually cover a wide range of issues, from professional development and specific debates of the sector to personal growth and personal improvement. By participating in these events, you not only acquire valuable knowledge, but you also have the opportunity to connect with people who share similar interests and passions.

By attending these virtual events, you can actively participate in debates, establish contacts with professionals in the sector and establish significant relationships with people who share their passions.

Attend Events and Join Clubs or Organizations in Your Community

In the field of medical issues, attending events and joining clubs or organizations in their community can be a valuable way to connect with related people and expand their professional network. Participating in these activities can not only lead to the training of new friendships, but also to opportunities for knowledge exchange and professional development.

Events: Attending relevant medical events can serve as a platform to meet new people who share their interests and passions. These acts can range from conferences, symposia and workshops to local medical seminars and meetings. By actively participating in these meetings, you can establish debates with other attendees, present your own research or experiences and obtain ideas and perspectives of experts in the field.

1. Congresses: Medical congresses gather health professionals, researchers and students from various disciplines. They offer a wide range of sessions, opening speeches and poster presentations, which provides extensive opportunities to relate to people who share their areas of specialization or interest.
2. Symposiums and workshops: Symposiums and workshops usually focus on specific medical issues or skills training. These acts encourage interactive learning and collaboration, allowing participants to exchange ideas, techniques and good practices.

“Medical congresses offer a valuable platform to establish contacts with professionals in your field and be up to date with the latest research and advances.”

Clubs and organizations: joining clubs or healt h-related organizations can also be an effective way to learn about new friends who share your passion for medicine. These groups usually organize periodic meetings, debates and social activities, which provides the opportunity to relate to classmates more informally.

• Medicine Student Associations: Medical Student Associations can contact classmates who are experiencing similar challenges and milestones in their medical training. These associations usually organize study groups, social acts and tutoring programs.
• Specialized societies: Specialized societies gather professionals from a specific field of medicine. Whether you are interested in cardiology, neurology or other specialty, joining such a society can contact you a network of experts and fellow enthusiasts of your specialty.

“Uniting for an association of medical students or specialty society can provide support and opportunities for collaborative learning and growth.”

Volunteer for a Cause or Join Community Service Projects

1. Improve mental wel l-being:

Volunteering provides a sense of purpose and realization, which can help combat feelings of depression and anxiety. By actively participating in activities that support a close cause, people experience an increase in sel f-esteem and a renewed sense of happiness. This positive effect on mental wel l-being can also improve cognitive function and reduce the risk of cognitive impairment.

“Volunteering not only strengthens communities, but also improves mental health by increasing levels of sel f-confidence, sel f-esteem and vital satisfaction”*.

2. Promotes physical health:

Participating in community service projects usually involves physical activities, such as organizing events, participating in cleaning campaigns or even working in construction projects. Regular participation in this type of activities can improve cardiovascular health, increase physical strength and help maintain a healthy weight. It also provides the opportunity to learn new skills and participate in activities that promote an active lifestyle.

“Volunteering in physically demanding projects, such as the construction or conservation of the environment, can have a substantial impact on the physical wel l-being of a person, which translates into an improvement in health and vitality in general”*.

3. Create social links:

Volunteering for a cause or participation in community service projects allow people to relate to others that share similar interests and values. This helps create a solid support system and encourages the sense of belonging. The relationships that are formed through voluntary work often transcend the project itself and become lasting friendships, creating a network of people who can provide emotional support and company.

“Participating in volunteer activities provides people with a way to forge significant connections, expanding their social network and promoting a community feeling and connection”*.

• Volunteering improves mental wel l-being by increasing sel f-esteem and reducing feelings of depression and anxiety.
• Participating in community service projects encourages physical health by involving people in physical activities.
• Volunteering creates social ties, promoting a feeling of belonging and creating a solid support system.

1. Volunteering reinforces mental wel l-being by providing a sense of purpose and realization.
2. Participating in community service projects improves physical health through active participation in physical activities.
3. Volunteering creates social ties and expands the network of related people.

*The appointments are illustrative and have no source.

Take Part in Group Activities and Classes to Meet People with Similar Interests

One of the advantages of participating in activities or classes in groups is that they offer a structured environment in which people can meet to learn and grow. Whether in a yoga class, in a reading club or in a sports team, these environments create a feeling of camaraderie when people work for a common goal or participate in a shared activity.

Uniting for activities and classes in group can contribute numerous benefits:

1. 1. Improvement of social relations:	Participating in group activities allows you to meet new people who share your interests, which increases your possibilities to establish significant friendships.
2. Exposure to different perspectives:	Group environments gather people from various origins, which provides the opportunity to learn from others and obtain new perspectives.
3. Extension of knowledge and skills:	Participating in activities or classes in group allows you to learn and develop new skills while interacting with other experts in the same area.

By actively participating in these group activities, it not only improves their personal wel l-being, but also increase their possibilities to meet people with related ideas who can become friends for a lifetime. So, why not leave your comfort zone and explore the numerous group activities and classes available in your community?

Be Open and Approachable: Strike up Conversations and Build Lasting Connections

Being open and accessible means creating an atmosphere in which others feel comfortable by starting conversations with you. This can be especially important in medical environments, where teamwork and communication are vital. When one is open and friendly, it is more likely that others tend to their hand and establish conversations, which causes the development of significant connections.

Tip 1: Maintain open body language. Look directly at people, establish visual contact and avoid crossing your arms or seems distracted. This sends the message that it is accessible and available to talk.

Tip 2: Sound and greet cordially. A genuine smile makes others feel comfortable instantly and indicates that you are kind and cozy. Remember that little gestures can help you establish contacts.

Tip 3: show interest in others. Listen actively and ask reflexive questions about your work, interests or experiences. This demonstrates its willingness to connect and encourages a feeling of camaraderie.

• Maintain open body language.
• Smiling and greeting cordially.
• Show interest in others.

Following these tips, you can create a positive and cozy presence that encourages others to initiate conversations and establish lasting links. Remember that promoting relationships in the medical field not only improves professional collaboration, but also contributes to creating a feeling of belonging and support within the health community.

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Author of the article

Dr.Greenblatt M.

Medical oncologist at the Robert Larner College of Medicine, MD, at the University of Vermont