En español | When you were in school, you had no problem making friends. Ditto for those years when you were a parent of growing kids. But now that you've reached a new stage of life — and maybe have relocated or retired — making new acquaintances can be a little trickier.

Also see: Be a Better Friend

Not only do you have fewer opportunities to meet new people, but "there's also a little more resistance to forming new relationships later in life, and your skills can get a bit rusty," says Marla Paul, author of The Friendship Crisis: Finding, Making, and Keeping Friends When You're Not a Kid Anymore. Besides, you may feel just plain awkward.

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Still, it's important to make the effort. Close relationships with others are vital to your health — physical, mental and emotional — your self-esteem and even your longevity, according to recent research. So if watching Grey's Anatomy is the highlight of your week, or you find yourself enthusiastically chatting with telemarketers, you probably need to make some new connections. Here are 15 things that can help you.

1. Get over the idea that everybody else your age already has all the friends they need. "Nobody wears a sign that says 'I'm looking for a friend,' but there are a lot of people out there in the same boat," Paul says.

2. Accept invitations, even if you suspect it won't be the night of your life. Just getting out increases the chances of meeting new people — and friends are sometimes found in unlikely places.

3. Check out continuing-education classes at your local college or university. In addition, many colleges allow older adults to audit regular classes for free, and some have programs specifically for seniors.

4. Senior centers have moved way beyond Friday-night bingo. Most have a variety of classes, activities and even trips. Stop by and ask for a schedule.

5. If you're retired, take a part-time job, even for just a few hours a week. It will expose you to new people and give you a little extra pocket money to boot.