Engaging in social relationships and connecting with others is a significant part of what helps shape people during their life.
It doesn’t matter if someone is an extrovert or introvert, maintaining a lifestyle that involves plenty of social interactions can help to positively impact an individual’s emotional, physical, and mental well-being.
Studies have proven that remaining engaged in social interactions is almost as effective as exercising to improve overall health and mood.
Understanding Social Wellness
Social wellness refers to the relationships a person has and how they interact with other people.
The way a person develops genuine relationships with other people to create supportive and nurturing connections that can present several health benefits through a person’s life.
As a person gets older and moves into their senior years, developing new relationships can become even more challenging.
However, maintaining strong relationships, even as a person ages and moves into senior living facilities, such as Brandywine Senior Living, is crucial to a person’s overall well-being.
Some of the biggest benefits offered by remaining socially active in a person’s senior years can be found below.
1. Reduce the Risk of Mental Health Issues
Remaining socially active as a person ages can help reduce the possibility of several mental health issues, including Alzheimer’s disease and depression. When a person’s brain is engaged constantly with interactions and activities, they will be sharpening their mind while reducing cases of cognitive decline.
2. Improve Overall Physical Health
Another benefit offered by continued social activity is that it often correlates to keeping a senior physically active, too. Any senior who has a higher level of social relationships will be motivated to maintain better physical health as opposed to their peers, who may not be as socially engaged.
This can help reduce a person’s blood pressure while reducing the risk of some cardiovascular issues, cancers, and arthritis. It will even help to improve their nutrition while boosting the immune system. This is because many seniors are more likely to eat and eat more in various social settings.
3. Increase Longevity
According to research from the Assisted Living Federation of America, it showed that seniors were more active socially were more likely to live past the age of 90, and on average lived more than 5.4 years longer than those who were not as engaged. This is often linked to increased mental and physical stimulation that seniors who have more active social lives enjoy.
4. Avoid Cases of Loneliness and Isolation
According to some studies, seniors who were regularly engaged in social activities reported lower levels of loneliness and higher self-perception. In fact, research has proven that seniors who are socially isolated are much more likely to suffer from long-term illnesses, such as depression, impaired mobility, chronic lung disease, and arthritis.
5. Create a Sense of Belonging
Along with the array of health benefits, when someone remains socially active, it gives seniors an improved sense of belonging to make them feel much more connected to the world around them. By participating in various conversations and group activities, seniors can create a quality support system as they get older.
When it comes to remaining socially active, there’s no question this is one of the best things that seniors can do.
Keep this in mind when it comes to a senior loved one, regardless of where they live.