Feeling included has many benefits and will make you happier, healthier, and more productive at work and at home. But sometimes it can be hard to feel like you have an important place in your community or workplace, whether you’re an employee or an entrepreneur. Here are five tips on how to feel included.

1) Confidence

When you believe in yourself, others will believe in you too. If you want people to invite you places, ask for help when you need it, or generally treat you like a valuable human being, don’t be afraid to step up and speak up. As leaders like Meryl Streep have said: Know your worth; not just your work. When we hold ourselves back from asking for what we want or admitting our mistakes or shortcomings—it’s easier for people to dismiss us as not being worthy of attention. So if there is something that is preventing you from feeling included by someone else—address it head-on! If that means asking them point-blank what it is they don’t like about you—go ahead and do it!

2) Get Over Yourself

It’s easy to feel excluded when you’re working with a team of people that all get along, but it’s important not to take it personally. There are times when you just aren’t a good fit and being included at every opportunity isn’t always feasible. When you do find yourself feeling left out, try asking yourself what specifically feels like exclusion. Is it their choice of lunch spot? Are they not inviting you along on outings? It might be difficult, but getting over yourself will help get your head back in the game and realize why they don't want you there in the first place.

3) Listen and Interact

Feeling included is all about actively listening and interacting with others. When you're feeling left out, simply start a conversation with someone at your table or in your circle of friends. Listen to what they have to say, ask follow-up questions, and actively listen for cues as they try to engage you in a discussion. For example, if they say something interesting and pause for a moment, then feel free to say whatever comes into your head; I agree, that's really cool, or even what do you mean? are great things to say because it just proves that you're paying attention and thinking about what they said.

4) Open up

When you feel like you don’t fit in, it can be easy to brush off your loneliness as normal behavior. But loneliness and social isolation are serious health risks. In fact, a recent survey of U.S. adults showed that over 40% report feeling lonely or socially isolated regularly—and that loneliness is more predictive of death than obesity or high blood pressure. Lonely people were also more likely to have a higher body mass index (BMI) and were twice as likely to have depression symptoms compared with non-lonely people. If you’re lonely, reach out—even if it’s just by texting someone who might make you feel better or asking for help from your coworkers when things get tough at work.

5) Let them get to know you

The easiest way to make someone feel included is by letting them get to know you. At a party, use your first few minutes to talk with different people and open up—share personal stories, ask questions, engage in meaningful conversation. Asking others about themselves is usually one of my favorite things to do at social gatherings. It gives me an excuse to learn about other people and helps me connect on a more personal level. The next time you’re at a party, try asking these questions: What do you do for fun? Where did you grow up? Do you have any siblings? I promise it will make those around you feel like they are truly part of your group—and that means feeling included.

It’s true that having someone who wants to spend time with you and includes you in activities can make you feel great. Just knowing some people care about us and want us in their lives is a tremendous feeling. In a world where we are more connected than ever, it’s harder than ever to feel included. But whether we live near or far from family members or friends, whether we interact with our coworkers every day or rarely see them around campus—we have so many ways of keeping up with those people whose lives mean something to us! As much as possible, take advantage of these opportunities—it will help you get through those times when you really do need others by your side.