Research has demonstrated that social isolation is associated with a wide variety of bad outcomes: disease, mental illness, early death.  Conversely, a wide variety of studies have pointed to the importance of maintaining strong relationships with family and friends as a key component of aging well. So just as you might pump iron to build your physical strength, consider ways to beef up the long-term health of your social network.

Try this sample exercise to help you Connect and Re-connect with the people you care about most.