Another reason to make that workout class every week: It could help you feel less lonely, especially in a city like Seattle that's known for having a chilly social climate.
Why it matters: Routine meetups with others are one of the best ways to create and maintain healthy relationships, says Julianne Holt-Lunstad, a Brigham Young University psychology and neuroscience professor known for her social connection research.
"You need consistency," Holt-Lunstad tells Axios. "It takes time to get to know people."
Effective routines for connection can be daily, weekly, month or annually. Holt-Lunstad suggests:
Daily: A morning or an evening walk with a friend, lunch with a coworker, or simply saying "hello" to people you see regularly.
Weekly: A yoga class, brunch with friends, or attending church or another faith-based gathering.
Monthly: Hosting a book club, game night or movie night, volunteering, or eating dinner with extended family.
Annually: A family vacation, a trip with former college roommates or celebrating holiday traditions.
The bottom line: Holt-Lunstad says, "We can think of social activity as somewhat akin to physical activity — it's not something that's a one and done."
