Skip to content

Content starts here

CLOSE ×

Red Membership Card

AARP Membership — $15 for your first year when you sign up for Automatic Renewal

Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP The Magazine.

Feeling Stressed? Phone a Friend

Calling people in your social circle may lift your mood

By

Staying Sharp

Updated April 20, 2023

Updated April 20, 2023

A woman holding up her cell phone out in front of her

E+/Getty Images

Quick Win

Talking with a buddy can help strengthen your friend network, cheer you up and even help relieve stress.

Try This Today

Think of a friend you’d like to talk to. Pick up the phone and call.
Ask about his or her day. Be a good listener and ask follow-up questions. Share something that made you smile recently — a book you really enjoyed or a television show you watched.
Make a plan to connect again soon. Before getting off the phone, schedule time for a talk or visit in the future.

Why

Older adults who have many close friends have better cognitive function than those who have fewer, according to several studies, including one reported in 2019 in Aging & Mental Health that looked at memory over time among more than 10,800 adults over age 50. Also, even one interaction with a friend in a day may improve daily well-being, according to a study of more than 900 college students reported in Communication Research in 2023.

You’ve reached content that’s exclusive to AARP members.

To continue, you’ll need to become an AARP member. Join now, and you’ll have access to all the great content and features in Staying Sharp, plus more AARP member benefits.

Already a member? Login

Privacy Policy Terms of Service Legal Disclaimer

Legal Disclaimer

Best Of

Women and Brain Health

Brain Health for Caregivers

Hearing Health Is Part of Brain Health

More From Staying Sharp

Game Night for Good Times and Brain Health

Ditch screens, gather your loved ones and enjoy some good old-fashioned fun

MEMBERS ONLY

Persevering Through Challenges With People Power

Stay strong with friends, family and community ties that help you cope

Learn to Draw Faces to Help Your Memory

Creating art makes connections between parts of the brain

MEMBERS ONLY

Most Popular

Benefits Recommended For You

Legal Disclaimer: Staying Sharp, including all content and features, is offered for informational purposes and to educate users on brain health care and medical issues that may affect their daily lives. Staying Sharp is based on a holistic, lifestyle approach to brain health that encourages users to incorporate into their daily lives activities that are associated with general wellness. Nothing in the service should be considered, or used as a substitute for, medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Features including the Cognitive Assessment and Lifestyle Check-Ins, Additional Tests, exercises, and challenges assess performance at a particular moment in time on certain discrete cognitive tasks. Staying Sharp games are intended for entertainment and recreational purposes only. Various factors may affect performance, including sleep, tiredness, focus, and other social, environmental, or emotional factors. Performance is not indicative of cognitive health and not predictive of future performance or medical conditions.

Unused AARP Rewards points expire 12 months after they are earned, in monthly batches on a rolling basis.