Isolation and health do not mix. You can’t be isolated from family and friends and still be healthy. That’s because social interaction plays a direct role in your physical, mental, and emotional health. It’s important for all people – but especially seniors – to get out and interact with others on a daily basis.
The likelihood of a person becoming isolated increases with age. In fact, one in four baby boomers are expected to live alone, which means as many as 19 million seniors could become isolated. Senior living communities provide plenty of opportunities for social interaction for this reason – to prevent isolation and the negative consequences that come with it.
Introvert or Extrovert? Improve Your Social Wellness
It doesn’t matter if you’re an introvert and are comfortable with alone time, or an extrovert who thrives on social interaction – both types of personalities need to socialize to stay healthy. Don’t believe us? Here are five benefits of social activities for seniors.
- Leads to increased physical activity and improved physical health. It’s no surprise that seniors who are socially active tend to get up and out of the house more often, making them more physically active than those who don’t. Seniors with friends and family they see regularly are more likely to try to “keep up” with whatever activities their loved ones are doing.
- Decreased risk of mental illness. Social wellness is great for mental health because it keeps your brain active and impacts your emotional well-being. Because of that, it reduces the risk of mental illnesses that are more common with increased age, such as depression, anxiety, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease. We talk about the benefits of exercise for the brain – social interaction is one form of this type of “exercise”.
- Boosts immune system. The positive effects of social interaction keep coming. Because interaction with others can positively benefit the physical body and mind, it also strengthens the body’s immune system, helping it to better fight colds, flus, and other common ailments. Positive social interaction can form healthy habits, such as going for walks every Monday, or eating a more well-balanced diet. But be careful to form healthy habits with loved ones, not the opposite.
- Promotes a positive outlook on life. Connection with others promotes a feeling of purpose and belonging. This leads to increased happiness, fulfillment, and a positive mindset. All of this is worth the effort of making new friends, talking to others, and getting out of the house. Senior living communities provide the perfect environment to be around others like yourself with similar interests and hobbies.
- Lengthens lifespan and longevity. While there’s no guarantee how long a person will live, studies have shown that seniors who interact with others on a regular basis are more likely to live past the age of 90, on average, compared to seniors who are more isolated and less engaged. This probably goes back to how social interaction improves both physical and mental health, as noted above.
Continue to build supportive, nurturing relationships with others as you age; studies show that seniors who regularly interact with others may even be able to live independently longer. At Saint Simeon’s, we believe that aging has a fulfilling purpose in life and that our society’s seniors have enduring value to family and communities.
Contact us today to request more information about our senior living services.
Continue to build supportive, nurturing relationships with others as you age; studies show that seniors who regularly interact with others may even be able to live independently longer. At Saint Simeon’s, we believe that aging has a fulfilling purpose in life and that our society’s seniors have enduring value to family and communities.
Contact us today to request more information about our senior living services.
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