Socialization Beats Loneliness

LONELY what a sad word. It is defined as having no friends or companionship. It is a lack of socializing and keeping in touch with others. The word itself promotes a sense of sadness when you verbalize it. Take a look at the MAC dictionary description of lonely;

Dictionary

lone.ly
adjective ( -lier , -liest )
sad because one has no friends or company : lonely old people whose families do not care for them.

• without companions; solitary : passing long lonely hours looking onto the street.

• (of a place) unfrequented and remote : a lonely stretch of country lane.

Thesaurus
lonely
adjective
1 I felt very lonely isolated, alone, lonesome, friendless, with no one to turn to, forsaken, abandoned, rejected, unloved, unwanted, outcast; gloomy, sad, depressed, desolate, forlorn, cheerless, down, blue. antonym popular.
2 the lonely life of a writer solitary, unaccompanied, lone, by oneself/itself, companionless. antonym sociable.
3 a lonely road deserted, uninhabited, unfrequented, unpopulated, desolate, isolated, remote, out of the way, secluded, off the beaten track/path, in the back of beyond, godforsaken; informal in the middle of nowhere. antonym populous, crowded.

Over and over again we have heard that social isolation is unhealthy for people of all ages. It can lead to depression, dementia and all sorts of other complications related to stress. Bottom line is that good friends are good for your health. It is never too late to make new friends or reconnect with old friends. Strong supportive friendships help you to maintain your happiness and self worth. The physical health benefits of socializing are equal to those of physical exercise. Good physical health and healthy eating count too, but it is the feeling of being worthwhile and loved that leads to a longer life. Social interaction is responsible for the results. Not only do strong social connections help you live longer, they also aid in better intellectual performance. You have to agree being healthier, smarter, and living longer are great benefits. Add to those a circle of new friends and your investment in socializing has paid off well.

One of the most difficult challenges for seniors is maintaining or finding relationships with people from their generation who share their interests, experiences and hobbies. This peer interaction is quite essential for a healthy retirement and aging. Whether you are retired or not, there are many things you can do to prevent loneliness and make connections with others. “People Do Need People”. Making connections can be as easy as joining a group with interests that match your own. Joining a gym, a walking group, computer club, book club, car club, Bible class or sewing group for examples, provide the social interaction that is key to your good health. Involvement in your church or synagogue, interacting with family and neighbors, and volunteering in your community all create socializing opportunities to meet and make new friends. People teach us new things about life and prevent us from being depressed. Focus on others and you will find less time to feel sorry for yourself. Get out of the house and enjoy life. You will not feel lonely very long and you will have fun doing it.

Many seniors find that going to the gym 3 or 4 times a week is great therapy for loneliness or the blues. Here at Siena where we live seniors and boomers are in great supply. Siena is a 55 or over community. Our gym is always filled with people. Often you will find small groups or couples stopping to chat, catch up on what’s new or provide a little advice. Sometimes it is merely a friendly wave to acknowledge you as a friend. It gives us a chance to interact with others, maintain friendships and start new ones in a relaxed atmosphere. None of us lose sight of the real reason we are there, to get in our physical exercise.Most of our conversations are short or before or after we finish our routines. Going to the gym 3-5 times a week gets people out of their homes where they might be all alone and feeling sorry for themselves which can lead to depression.

Getting to the gym allows for some socialization, provides purpose and physical exercise. The gym offers small group classes for Yoga, body sculpting and aerobics. These are all great ways to stay connected as well as providing some motivation for the day. A lot of our senior friends go to the gym for rehabilitative reasons or are recovering from an illness or loss of a loved one. As they connect with others they find compassion and understanding and can share experiences. This allows them to verbalize their concerns, which helps to alleviate the sorrow or pain that may be affecting their lives. Good times too can be shared as new and closer friendships are made. Laughing and humor help us to feel good and suppress depression. Often we discover someone who is from the same hometown or state, has the same hobby, or has taken a vacation to a place we have visited. Common interests tend to bond us together. Many of us look forward to connecting with our fellow “gym rats”. Our loneliness is diminished when we have someone to interact with and something to look forward to on a daily basis. It is important for our mental health to feel a part of this type of a community or group no matter how involved we become.

Friends are the shoulder to lean on, the confidants, advisors, supporters, motivators or companions for a variety of activities that help maintain your happiness. Having a network of friends promotes positive mental health and keeps unhealthy stressful situations in perspective. Sharing with others can multiply your joys and divide your sorrows. People who become involved and are connected with others give living a purpose. Socializing is your lifeline, friends are your lifesavers. Everyone needs to feel loved and supported. We are social creatures and feel better when we are with other people. Not only do strong social connections help you live longer, they also aid in better intellectual performance. You have to agree being healthier, smarter, and living longer are great benefits. Add to those a circle of new friends and your investment in socializing has paid off well.

Get out their folks, make friends, reconnect with old friends, learn something new, volunteer or get to know your neighbors. The payoff to your physical health, mental health and spirit is wonderful. You will feel like a new person and add a few years to your life in the process. “The grand essentials of happiness are: something to do, something to love, and something to hope for.” -Allan K. Chalmers-

Happy Anti-aging Everyone!

Chuck and Gayle