Building and maintaining strong social connections throughout retirement is one of the most important factors for a long, healthy life. In fact, when it comes to cultivating whole-person wellness, it may be as important as eating right and exercising regularly. Studies show a healthy social life is associated with increased mood, decreased depression and a reduced likelihood of developing cognitive decline.
Here are a few easy ways to build and maintain strong social connections throughout retirement.
Join a Club
Whether you join a gardening club or a bowling league, clubs are a great way to enjoy time with people who have mutual interests. If there aren’t any clubs associated with your hobbies, try starting one or trying something new. According to a 2013 study, continually learning new things stimulates unique neural pathways — keeping our brains healthy as we age. Who knows, you may meet your new best friend while you’re at it!
Use Social Media
Social media is a great way to stay connected with friends and family as you age. You can keep an eye on what others are doing and engage with them by liking and commenting on their posts. Recent evidence suggests that social media is a great way to reduce negative symptoms of social isolation. Social media platforms can also help connect you with groups with similar hobbies and local events.
Facetime and Skype
Gone are the days of letters and telephones. With apps like Facetime and Skype, you can video chat friends and family face-to-face anytime and anywhere. If you’re interested in learning more about how to use these applications, check out this guide to Facetime.
Volunteer
Spending time volunteering is a great way to build new social connections while giving back. It’s also one of the best ways to boost your mood and your self-esteem. If you’re looking for a way to volunteer, Columbus has a bunch of great options — here are some of our favorite places to volunteer!
At Friendship at Home, our members can enjoy living in their own homes for the rest of their retirement. They never have to give up the home they love to receive future care, and they can rest easy knowing we’ll coordinate care whenever they need it.
Because we’re an affiliate of Friendship Village of Dublin, our members are automatically a part of our vibrant community. They’re welcome to all of the campus’s amenities — from the indoor pool to trips to the symphony.
If you want to learn more about our program and the benefits it offers, let us know. You can reach us by phone by calling (614) 734-2167.