Why Joining a Fan Club/Group is Good for Mental Health
Being in a group gives us a feeling of belonging. It drives us as well as giving us a mood-lifting boost of confidence. Joining a fan club or group is a wonderful addition to a sound mental health regiment.
There is nothing more satisfying than having a common interest with another person. They understand you, almost as if they can see inside your heart and mind. This world can feel very lonely and foreign at times. Trying to find another person who understands what makes you tick is a difficult endeavor.
Social support helps with a range of mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety. Being engaged in different activities is important for individual well-being.
Please keep in mind joining a fan club or group should be an addition to your mental health therapy not a substitute for a clinical setting like a therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist.
Please check out my other blog about mental health well-being called 8 Reasons Why Traveling Boosts Your Mental Health.
Table of Contents
Where to Find a Group
A great way to achieve this is by joining a group. There are multiple ways to find a group that fits your needs. There is something out there for everyone, no matter what your interest might be. Do you like movies? Maybe you love superheroes or comic books.
Online Fan Club
A great place to start is online. By starting online, it is easy to search for what you are looking for without leaving the comforts of your own home. Facebook has a great group page where you can search for what interests you, and request to join.
I started a fan club in 2013 and am an administrator for a Facebook group called Mystery Science Theater 3000. We have over 3300 members and growing every day! It is a wonderful platform to meet new people who love the same things you do. We have a social network where we can post discussions and let each other know when something Mystery Science related is coming to our neighborhoods.
An online fan club is not only good for online friendships but it is a great way to find people who live close to you. You can plan get-togethers to discuss what you love together.
Conventions
Conventions are a great place to get hands-on with your group of interest. You have the opportunity to meet new people who like what you like. It is the perfect setting for networking. Most conventions are an all-day event, jammed pack with different types of activities to do. This is also a great way to explore new places and travel.
A few places to look for upcoming conventions are: (with links below)
Universities
College campuses are a great place to find groups and clubs to join. This is not only good for your well-being but it also looks great for future employers. It can show you are part of and work well with a group. So just take a look, there is an activity out there for every type of interest with other like-minded individuals.
Different examples of groups you can join at a college are:
- Sports & Recreation
- Academic Clubs
- Religious & Spiritual Groups
- Political Clubs
- Theater and The Arts
- Media and Publication Groups
- Cultural Clubs
Check out the website The Quad, for a more in-depth look at each category of clubs and groups to join.
Conclusion
To sum up, there is a group out there for everyone. Keeping a healthy social group is important for your overall well-being and mental health. Activities such as joining a club and meeting like-minded people help with the feeling of belonging, and increases happiness as well as help manage mental health conditions. Go out there and try it. Join one group or 10. You will be happy that you did. Just remember my new friends, we are in this together.