"Loneliness is not just about being alone," Dr. Gayle MacBride, Ph.D., LP, a psychologist with Veritas Psychology, explains. "It is about lacking meaningful connections with others. Group activities help because they create opportunities for contact and can build belonging through shared experiences, which is exactly what combats the root of loneliness."
"Work responsibilities, caregiving roles and busy schedules can leave less time for socializing, even when people want more connection," says Dr. Ernesto Lira de la Rosa, Ph.D., a psychologist and Hope for Depression Research Foundation media advisor.
Unsure where to start? That's common, too. To help, three psychologists share the best group activity for adults, along with three other favorites.
The Best Group Activity for Adults: Pickleball
According to the three psychologists we spoke to, the best group activity for adults is pickleball.
Related: 13 of the Best Friendship Apps, Because We All Know Making Friends as an Adult Is Hard
adamkaz/Getty Images
Pickleball isn't just "tennis-lite." There's some undercover choreography going on, and it can help people connect with themselves and others on both physical and mental levels.
This movement opens doors for bonding and even finding meaning in life.
2. Pickleball lowers social defenses
The sport is like a movement-based mocktail—a zero-proof social lubricant, if you will.
If you're playing for fun, she shares that you, your teammates and even your opponents can feel less scrutinized and more available for genuine connections. Of course, for some, trying a new thing is a barrier.
It's not easy to make friends as an adult. Yet Dr. Lira de la Rosa notes that pickleball creates conditions that help friendships develop.
Psychologically, he notes that friendships are important because they provide emotional support, a sense of belonging and companionship, combating adult loneliness.
4. It helps you regulate your mood and stress
"Pickleball is one of those activities that can be serious enough to absorb you and playful enough to make you laugh," she says. "That combination is neurotransmitter gold."
"The process of learning and novelty is good for our brains, but it’s also good for our identities," Dr. MacBride says. "Always being the person who has a handle on things can be exhausting. There’s something very rewarding about being a beginner and not carrying the mental load for everyone else."
6. It promotes cognitive engagement
"There is strategy, anticipation, inhibition and fast-paced decision-making," she says. "You have to be paying attention to read the play, the angle, deciding whether to speed up play or dink and then there’s adjusting to different partners and opponents."
"Sometimes, life can feel boring and flat and limited to work, home and sleep," Dr. Leno says. "We need a spark to get us going and growing. When we engage in activities outside of those that are mandatory, we feel free and our thoughts flow more smoothly."
How To Find Pickleball Groups Near You
Since pickleball is growing so quickly, it's becoming easier to find adult groups. The low level of friction is yet another perk. To find a pickleball group near you, Dr. Lira de la Rosa suggests that you:
Check your local parks and recreation department website.Look for community centers, YMCAs and fitness clubs that offer pickleball.Search local Facebook groups and neighborhood social media pages.Use pickleball-specific websites and apps that list courts and organized play.Ask friends, coworkers or neighbors if they know of local groups.Visit local courts and ask players about beginner-friendly open play sessions.Pickleball is a favorite group activity, but it may not be your top choice. That's OK. Psychologists share their personal runners-up for "best social hobbies for adults," and they may be No. 1 on your list.
1. Community gardening
"Community gardening gives people a chance to connect around a shared goal while spending time outdoors," Dr. Lira de la Rosa says. "The activity encourages regular interaction without requiring constant conversation. It can be especially rewarding because people are contributing to something tangible and watching it grow over time."
"In this kind of setting, everyone is focused on a shared outcome, the group meets regularly and there is a built-in sense of mutual effort," she notes. "For adults who want connection but feel rusty socially, performing musically can be a familiar way to dust off their social skills."
3. Recreational board game groups
"Board game groups offer a fun and approachable way to meet people," Dr. Lira de la Rosa states. "The games provide a built-in focus, which can reduce social pressure and make conversations feel more natural. They also encourage cooperation, friendly competition and shared experiences, all of which can help strengthen social bonds."
Related: 7 Psychological Benefits of Doing Puzzles, According to a Psychologist
Sources:
Social Isolation and Loneliness. World Health Organization. Annual Growth Reports. USA Pickleball. Dr. Gayle MacBride, Ph.D., LP, is a psychologist with Veritas Psychology.Dr. Ernesto Lira de la Rosa, Ph.D., a psychologist and Hope for Depression Research Foundation media advisor.Dr. Michele Leno, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist and host of Mind Matters with Dr. Michele.Hence then, the article about we asked 3 psychologists what group activity is best for adults they all said the same thing was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( We Asked 3 Psychologists What Group Activity Is Best for Adults—They All Said the Same Thing )
Also on site :
- Walmart's 'Super Cute' Half Moon Shoulder Bag Brings the Cow Print Trend to Your Wardrobe for Just $20
- James Murdoch may have reaped as much as $7.5 billion from his pre-IPO investment in Elon Musk’s SpaceX
- Rosie O'Donnell Says Prison Visit Led to Her First Real Conversation With Daughter Chelsea in 10 Years