People who have strong social connections have a lower risk of heart disease, stroke, dementia, and depression. Connection with others makes our lives feel more meaningful. Social activities help to keep our brains sharp, prevent loneliness, and improve our mental health and outlook on life.
Mental Health Benefits of Social Connections
Time spent on group activities, visiting with family, or with a friend lowers our risk of depression and anxiety. We experience improved self-esteem and we have a sense of belonging. Communicating with others and participating in group activities stimulates our brains and reduces our risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
Socializing adds a level of accountability. When we regularly interact with others, we are more likely to take care of ourselves. It gives us a reason to keep up with self-care. If we spend too much time alone, we can slip into poor self-care habits. When we care for ourselves physically, we naturally feel better mentally.
As we get older, feeling like we belong is just as important as it was when we were teens. We all need people in our lives. We need friends we can rely on in good times and bad. This need can feel even stronger for seniors, especially those who have lost a spouse or close friend.
Having people you can count on makes life more fulfilling at any age.
Therefore, encourage and build one another up, just as you are doing.
1 Thessalonians 5:11
How You Can Build a Supportive Community
With a little effort, we can find many ways to surround ourselves with an active social circle and sense of community.
Join a Club or Group: Look for local clubs or groups that share your interests like book clubs, gardening clubs, craft groups, etc. These provide opportunities to socialize while doing fun activities.
Take a Class: Community centers, libraries, and colleges offer affordable classes in everything from art to computers to fitness. Learning something new with other people is mentally stimulating and socially engaging.
Volunteer: Giving back to causes that are meaningful to you can connect you with others who share your values and passions. Many nonprofits welcome volunteers of all ages.
Join Community Events: Keep an eye out for fun community events like outdoor concerts, festivals, fundraisers, etc. These are easy ways to meet new people.
Try New Technology: Video chatting, online groups, and social media can help us connect and socialize from home.
Join a Church: The church gives us a built-in community to be part of.
You don’t need to have dozens of friends. A small group of people can have a big impact on your health and well-being.
Overcoming Barriers to Connections
Some obstacles can make it challenging for some of us to connect with others. This is more difficult as we age. Common barriers include:
Transportation/Mobility Issues: Socializing can be difficult for people who don’t drive or have difficulty walking. There are transportation services like senior ride programs, public transit, rides from family and friends, and events/clubs that come to residential communities.
Physical/Mental Health Concerns: Chronic health conditions can make it harder to get out and about. Video calls and online groups help us socialize from home, and many in-person activities can be adapted for different physical activity levels.
Fear/Anxiety About Being Social: If you feel nervous about putting yourself out there, start small by going with a friend or family member.
Financial Concerns: Look for low-cost or free activities like Meetup groups, park events, and library programs.
We can find ways to bridge the gaps and start building a supportive community at any age.
The High Price of Shutting Others Out
Sometimes, people can be very stubborn, even if it hurts them. I knew of a man whose stubbornness led to feeling very alone.
This man lost 90% of his hearing. But he refused to wear hearing aids that could have helped him. Without the hearing aids, it became almost impossible for him to socialize and talk with others.
He avoided being around people and groups because he could not hear the conversations. Slowly, he became isolated and bitter from the lack of interaction. His family members tried hard to convince him to wear hearing aids so they could communicate, but he would not listen.
Unfortunately, by the time he finally agreed to use hearing aids, it was too late. Years of being alone and isolated, combined with smoking, led to him developing dementia.
His children lost valuable years of enjoying his company. This very sad situation could have been prevented if he had listened sooner about getting hearing aids. Isolation harmed his mental health and relationships.
Conclusion
Having a social network and sense of community is as important to our health as diet and exercise. In this high-tech age, we are often cut off from genuine human connection. We must make efforts to engage with others, and this is especially important as we age.
My Challenge to You: Examine your social life. Do you regularly engage with others? Do you spend a lot of time alone? What can you do to build your community?
For more information about the importance of activities in our life, read Why Does Playing & Having Fun as an Adult Matter?
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