Celebrate Social Wellness Month- 7 Tips for Social Wellness
Living through a global pandemic for a couple of years taught us to never take the little but incredibly important things in life for granted: shared laughter, hugging our loved ones, and a lunch date at our favorite restaurant. We saw just how important socializing is, and how lonely and empty we can feel when it is taken away.
July is Social Wellness Month, and with immunizations reducing our need to isolate ourselves, it’s the ideal time to ensure that seniors have appropriate interaction experiences.
Social Wellness Month
Social wellness has been shown to improve the quality of life for seniors. People over the age of 65 who are able to create and maintain strong connections have friends to share their joys, listen to their concerns, and provide a helping hand in times of need. According to research, seniors with strong social networks are more likely to:
- Live a longer life
- Better reaction to stress and challenging situations
- Improve overall cardiovascular function
- Experience more positive moods
- Have a higher self-esteem
Individuals who live a more reclusive and isolated lifestyle, on the other hand, are at a higher risk for serious health difficulties, such as obesity, tobacco use, and high blood pressure.
Methods to Improve Your Social Wellness
Here are a few ideas for how you can improve your social wellness for better health.
- Exercise regularly. Not only is it excellent for your mental and emotional well-being, but it’s also a fantastic way to meet new people. Maybe you can even find an exercise buddy.
- Get a dog. Those furry friends make wonderful companions because they make you leave the house and go for a walk, which increases your chances of socializing and meeting new people.
- Volunteer for a cause you believe in. It’s a win-win situation because you get a good feeling from helping others and gain access to a wider social network of like-minded individuals.
- Connect with others by sharing a hobby. Check social media platforms like Facebook, websites like Meetup, or ask around your neighborhood or at your local library if you need to find people who enjoy the same things you do. Many local libraries sponsor hobby-oriented events.
- Reach out for your own needs. It can be challenging to communicate when you require assistance, whether it be with a simple task or emotional support. Yet we all need others. Reach out, and you may be surprised to find how much others want to help you.
- Phone a friend. Have you been unable to get in touch with a long-lost friend for several months or even years? Pick up the phone and give them a call. You can greatly improve your mental health by creating and maintaining social connections.
- Relax! Of course, it’s easier said than done. But make a special effort to do things you find relaxing. This helps your overall attitude and demeanor (not to mention your physical health), and that can only help you more when you reach out to others.
How Thrive USA Home Care is Available to Help
An in-home caregiver companion, such as those on the Thrive USA Home Care team, is a quick and simple way to increase senior socialization. Our caregivers are professionally trained, experienced, and background-checked, and they are accessible for as much or as little time as an older adult wants for talks, enjoyable activities, trips, and other activities. We can give transportation and accompany them to social events, or just visit the seniors at their homes on a regular basis.
Contact our senior care professionals at any time and allow us to assist a loved one in your life in being healthy, sociable, and well. We provide a free in-home consultation at your convenience, so send us an email or call (301) 882-4717 today to learn more about our trusted home care services in Maryland and the District of Columbia.