How — and why — you should increase your social network as you age

What can older adults who have lost their closest friends and family members do as they contemplate the future without them? If, as research has found, good relationships are essential to health and well-being in later life, what happens when connections forged over the years end? It would be foolish to suggest these relationships can be easily replaced: They cannot. There’s no substitute for people who’ve known you a long time, who understand you deeply. Still, opportunities to create bonds with other people exist. “It’s never too late to develop meaningful relationships,” said Robert Waldinger, a clinical professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School.

tips

contemplate：思考；沉思

forge：锻造；努力加强

substitute：代理；替代者（sub 下面 + stitut- = set up 建立，放）

bond：捆绑物；结合；债卷（bond- = to bind 捆绑，系）

clinical：临床的