Let’s Get Social! 5 Reasons Seniors Should Socialize More
Many seniors’ version of retirement definitely includes some peace and quiet. However, this doesn’t mean your social calendar should be. Being social benefits us more than we think. Maintaining strong relationships throughout your life is good for your emotional, mental and physical health, and can even result in a longer life span. Within this article, our assisted living associates in Gloucester County will go over the five major reasons why seniors should disrupt their daily routines to socialize more often.
5 Benefits of Senior Socialization
- Natural stress reducer. Seniors’ stress levels are likely to be lower when they have strong friendships that keep them social. Think about it, when you have someone to confide in, someone who hears your worries and fears and then offers comfort, your stress suddenly doesn’t seem so overwhelming. Lower stress results in better cardiovascular health, a stronger immune system, and healthy sleep habits.
- Better cognitive function. Playing interactive games with family and friends is a great way to stay social and keep the mind sharp. Activities like card or board games that challenge the brain can keep cognitive function and memory recognition strong, which are especially important as we age.
- More opportunities for physical fitness. Working out is not always easy for seniors. Motivation comes and goes, which can make it difficult to maintain their physical health. One of the best ways to stick to an exercise routine is to have a good friend to workout with and be your accountability partner. Sharing the experience with a friend makes physical fitness feel less like work and more like fun.
- Improves current mental health state. Feeling lonely is a common issue among older adults, but maintaining social bonds can help minimize this problem. Seniors do not feel lonely if they are often surrounded by family and friends. Staying social also reduces their risk of this loneliness escalating into something more serious like depression or anxiety. Planning a fun social outing or calling to check in with friends are just two ways that seniors can help boost their mental health.
- Extended life span. This benefit may seem far-fetched at first, but there is research backed by the National Institute of Aging to prove that being social prolongs functional decline in health. Loneliness and social isolation are two of the major factors that impact the immune system of seniors. Older adults who maintain strong social ties, good nutrition and physical fitness generally live longer than those who do not upkeep these healthy senior living habits.
Socializing at UMC at Pitman
UMC at Pitman, our assisted living community near West Deptford NJ, provides many opportunities for seniors to have fun and socialize, while remaining safe. Our associates are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide assistance with daily tasks, including dressing, cooking and medication management. They could also recommend the best spots to meet new friends and activities on campus to take part in!
For more information on our assisted living services and events in Pitman, NJ, please give us a call or visit our website at: https://umcommunities.org/pitman/
