5 Ways to Stop Feeling Lonely in Zurich (Switzerland 🇨🇭)

Did you know a massive 85-year Harvard study* found that chronic loneliness can be as damaging to your health as smoking half a pack of cigarettes a day? It’s a physical stressor that keeps your body in a constant state of fight-or-flight.

So no, you're not being "dramatic"- that feeling of isolation is actually a big deal. The good news is, your social fitness is just like your physical fitness: you can train it. Here are 5 ways to start.

1. Overcome "Overt Avoidance" (Just Show Up)

This is step one. It means saying yes and physically getting yourself to the event, the class, or the club (yes we know about the times when you signed up for something but bailed last minute because you’re not in the mood). You can't make friends from your couch. Commit to showing up, even if you don’t feel 100% motivated.

2. Overcome "Covert Avoidance" (Actually Engage)

It’s not enough to just be in the room; you have to participate. Studies show that your perception of a social environment—whether it's "chill" or "welcoming"—depends almost entirely on your own behavior 🙃. Introduce yourself. Ask a question. Give a compliment. People who engage with others find the world to be a friendlier place.

3. Do Something You Love with Other People

The Harvard researchers’ top tip for making new connections? Do an activity you genuinely care about and do it alongside others. Join a book club, a hiking group, or a pottery class. You automatically have something in common with everyone there, which makes starting a conversation feel natural and low-stakes.

4. Remember the 200-Hour Rule

A University of Kansas study found it takes about 80-100 hours to consider them a friend and 200 hours with someone to feel they’re a close friend. This isn’t to discourage you, but to set realistic expectations. Deep friendships don't form after one coffee. They're built through consistent, repeated time together. Be patient and invest the hours.

5. Be the One to Reach Out

We all have a tendency to think we're more awkward or less liked than we actually are (psychologists call this the "Liking Gap"). We wait for others to text us or invite us out. Break the cycle. Be the one to initiate. You are in more control of your social world than you think.

Loneliness isn't a life sentence. It’s a signal. And at Playhard, we’re building the ultimate gym for your social fitness, giving you the space and the people to make connections that count.