Something I hear frequently in my mid-20s when talking to other 20-somethings: It’s so hard to make friends when you’re not in school. The natural sequitur for meeting people after graduation is your workplace. But in a landscape where in-person offices seem to be getting smaller and smaller and remote work is still going steady, many young people (or adults of any age) need new ways to meet people. And besides, an office environment is still very different than a high school or college campus, when it comes to meeting and making new friends.

In a recent mental health feature for the Magazine, I wrote about the loneliness epidemic. Although it was discussed in the context of older adults, it’s affecting people of all ages. A report from the U.S. Surgeon General found that compared to 20 years ago, today’s young people between 15-24 have 70 percent less in-person social interaction with their friends.

There are many reasons for this—and of course, the COVID pandemic is at the top of everyone’s mind. But other factors are at play. Americans are marrying later in life or not marrying at all, moving more often and working longer hours. Plus, many parents report spending more time with their children than peers. And just to dig a little deeper, more than one in seven men report having no close friends, which some say is a result of harmful societal gender norms.

The question on many people’s minds: what do we do about it? How do we address the growing trend of loneliness and isolation?

For many people, the answer is to go outside your comfort zone and try something new. It’s hard to make a friend if each day you follow the same routine of working from home and watching Netflix. Many of these suggestions will apply regardless of where you live, but here is a starter guide for people living in Mt. Lebanon.

Sports

Mt. Lebanon has plenty of sports for adults. South Hills Sportz Club has Lebo kickball and softball teams, as well as a LeboWalks group for people to explore the neighborhood together. The Rec Center offers a variety of programs for adults, from yoga and Pilates to ice hockey and tennis. And for skilled soccer players, there’s the Mt. Lebanon Soccer Association. Joining a sports team can be a great way to ease into meeting new people, because it gives you something to talk about and bond over right off the bat.

Book and game groups

Mt. Lebanon Public Library hosts book clubs throughout the week at varying times and days. Well Read Women is held monthly by the Women’s Club of Mt. Lebanon. Some churches host book clubs.

Board games are also a popular option for people looking to join a club (without the physical or reading elements.) The library hosts board game groups, while informal groups have formed in The Galleria recently to play games, like mah-jongg or chess. Or if you’re in the mood for an evening activity, there are plenty of trivia nights in the area to join. Just Google “trivia night Mt. Lebanon” and you’ll find dozens of options.

Volunteering

Mt. Lebanon has a variety of community groups that need volunteers. Mt. Lebanon’s Nature Conservancy, Library, and Boards and Authorities all offer volunteer opportunities. There are also a host of advocacy groups, where you can meet people with shared interests.

Meet your neighbors   

Host or attend a block party. Plan holiday events with other people on your street. Take walks around the neighborhood at the same time each day to increase the likelihood of running into others on the same schedule. Or hang out in a “third space” in the community, like a coffee shop or park. The more you regularly show up to the same place each day, the more likely you’ll meet people.

Social media

This will sound counter-intuitive, but you can use social media to meet people in person. Sites like MeetUp offer a huge selection of events and groups to join, based on your interests and location. We all know about dating apps, but did you know there are apps to make platonic friends? Bumble, for example, is mostly known as a dating app, but has a mode called BumbleBFF to match with new friends. Even Facebook is still a place to find local groups dedicated to special interests. (I did a quick Facebook search for Mt. Lebanon groups and saw ones for gardeners, moms, bookworms, specific Lebo neighborhoods, pickleball and more.)

Take a class

You can never learn too much. Maybe you’re finished with school, but learning should never really end. Enrolling in a class can be a way to engage your mind and meet likeminded people. Mt. Lebanon School District offers continuing education courses in so many subjects, including painting, woodworking, movies, and health and nutrition. Or you could find a cooking class nearby, usually taught by a professional chef.

Regardless of how you meet new people, the important thing is to try. Loneliness isn’t just an uncomfortable feeling. The stress caused by loneliness can lead to chronic diseases, a lowered immune system and greater risk of mental health issues. In an era where more people are looking for connection, one answer may be trying something new.