About one in three American adults report feeling lonely every week. One in ten say they feel lonely every day, according to polling by the American Psychiatric Association.
Numbers like these lead some experts to the conclusion that America is experiencing a “loneliness epidemic.” Whether you believe that to be true or not, it seems clear that our society is more fragmented and less unified today.
There are many reasons for this, and the solution set is complex. However, no matter where we live or what we do for a living, we can each play our part in turning things around by resolving to make a small (or not so small) effort to connect with our neighbors.
It’s easier than it sounds. Here are four things you can do right now to make a real difference in your community.
1. Start or Purchase a Local Business
If you have some capital or can convince a bank to lend it out, why not launch or acquire a local business? Small business owners are the bedrock of communities large and small, and as their enterprises grow, they can measurably improve their neighbors’ prosperity and quality of life.
Of course, being a small business owner is hard work. It can be risky too; there are no guarantees that your business will flourish. Fortunately, you can make an impact on your community in many other ways.
2. Join a School or Faith Group
If you have school-age children, joining a parent-teacher organization is a wonderful way to get more involved in their education. According to Early Childhood Education Zone, it could also score you points with your kid and give you an inside track on upcoming developments at their school.
Likewise, joining a faith community (or group within that community) brings you closer to people with whom you already share an important affinity. Faith groups often do good works in their communities, so this is a good place to start if you’re not sure where to lend your talents.
3. Volunteer at a Local Nonprofit
Whether you know it or not, your local community is filled with nonprofit organizations that need your help. Why not devote a few hours a month to one that aligns with your values?
Chipping in could have personal benefits, too, says happiness expert Dr. Tracey Brower. Brower cites a poll finding that 66% of people who volunteer do so because it made them happy, compared to 45% who do so because of ethical or moral beliefs.
4. Do Good Deeds For Your Neighbors (And Encourage Others to Chip In)
You don’t have to volunteer for a registered nonprofit to make a positive impact. You can help out in more informal ways, like raking leaves or mowing lawns for your elderly neighbors, hosting a neighborhood potluck, organizing a neighborhood cleanup day, or running a carpool for your child’s classmates. Simply showing up and doing the work might encourage others to do their part, too — or you can encourage them to do so directly.
Small Deeds Lead to Big Changes
You might not think you can make much of a difference in your community by volunteering once a month at the local food shelf, mowing your elderly neighbor’s lawn for free, or picking up trash in the park around the corner.
However, imagine if everyone on your block did the same. Now multiply that by the population of your hometown and you’ll soon see that small deeds can have big, lasting impacts.
Sure, the work might be hard, and you might hear fewer “thank yous” than you’d like. But knowing you’re doing your part makes it all worthwhile.
