Aging Healthy, Part 3 – Staying Connected
Staying connected to our support network as we get older can be challenging. Career changes, retirement, illness, and moves out of the local area can take away close friends and family members. Even those who have always had an active social life often find their social network getting smaller and smaller.
It’s important to find ways to reach out and connect to others. Even if you live with a spouse or partner. Having a variety of friends to share ideas and activities with can keep you on your toes and bring contentment. It is also a buffer against loneliness, depression, disability, hardship, and loss. Staying social can have a big impact on your health as you age.
There are many ways to be with other people and make new connections. It doesn’t matter what you do, so long as you find ways to socialize and stay connected.
Get in touch regularly with friends and family. Spend time with people you enjoy and who make you feel upbeat. It may be a neighbor who you like to exercise with, a lunch date with an old friend, shopping with your children, or playing with your grandkids. Even if you are not close by, call or email frequently to keep relationships fresh.
Make new friends. As you lose people in your circle, it is vital to make new connections so your social life doesn’t decline. Make it a point to befriend people who are younger than you. Younger friends can reenergize you and help you see life from a fresh perspective.
Spend time with at least one person every day. You shouldn’t be alone day after day. Phone or email contact is not a replacement for spending time with other people. Regular face-to-face contact helps you ward off depression and stay positive.
Volunteer. Giving back to the community is a wonderful way to strengthen social bonds and meet others interested in similar activities or who share similar values.
Find support groups in times of change. If you or a loved one is coping with a serious illness or recent loss, it can be very helpful to participate in a support group with others undergoing the same challenges.
Take a class or join a group. Check the area community centers for groups that play cards, dominos, chess, or other board games. The Spiva Arts Center and Local Color Art Gallery offer adult art classes. Local crafts and home improvement stores often offer classes for knitting, sewing, crafting and other hobbies. If you are having a hard time finding any groups or classes in your area, start your own! The new library is also a great resource for finding or starting a group. Check out their events and services tabs for more information.
Go on a group trip. There are many travel services and agencies that cater to older travelers. Traveling with a group is often the most affordable way to travel and a great way to meet new people and make new friends. Right now, many places are offering steep discounts after COVID to get the travel and tourism industry back on its feet.
For more information on finding ways to stay connected, give us a call or fill out the form below and comment “get connected.” You can also use the form to contact us for any other questions about our services and resources available on your journey to aging healthy.
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