Examples of How Socializing Prolongs Life and Mental Capacity

Socializing can sometimes be difficult for retirees. Many older adults can battle feelings of isolation or boredom during retirement because they can no longer rely on the social interaction inherent to their career.

This can be more than boring. It’s potentially dangerous, because these older adults miss out on the critical benefits social interaction has on mental health. Interacting with others has been positively proven to slow mental and even physical decline.

As we age, we may begin to experience a decrease in physical and cognitive function. It’s a normal part of the aging process. But social interaction can work like a great, fun medicine. This makes socializing one of the most important aspects of staying healthy during retirement. Here’s what you need to know about how socializing can provide you with better physical, mental, and emotional health as you grow older.

Physical Health Benefits of Social Interaction

We often view socializing as simply a way to boost our emotional and mental wellbeing, and it definitely is, but the truth is there’s a physical health component to social interaction as well. In fact, there are many physical health benefits of social interaction. For example, social interaction can help to:

• Reduce stress. Stress can have a negative impact on physical health, and social interaction can help to reduce stress levels. Studies have shown that people who are socially isolated are more likely to experience chronic health conditions, such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
• Improve cardiovascular health. Social interaction can help to improve cardiovascular health by lowering blood pressure and reducing the risk of heart disease. A study published in the Psychosomatic Medicine journal found that people who had strong social ties were less likely to develop heart disease over a 10-year period.
• Boost the immune system. Social interaction can help to boost the immune system by increasing levels of antibodies. A study published in the Psychological Science journal found that people who had more social interaction had higher levels of antibodies, which can help to fight off infection.
• Extend lifespan. Studies have shown that people who are socially isolated are more likely to die prematurely. A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences journal found that people who had few social ties were more likely to die than people who had strong social ties.

Benefits of Social Interaction on Mental Health

In addition to the physical health perks of social interaction, it also has many benefits on mental health. For example, social interaction can help to:

• Reduce loneliness and depression. Loneliness and depression are common problems among older adults, and social interaction can help to reduce these problems. A study published in The Gerontologist journal found that people who were socially isolated were more likely to experience loneliness and depression.
• Improve cognitive function. Social interaction can help to improve cognitive function by keeping the brain active. A study published in the Nature Neuroscience journal found that people who had more social interaction had better cognitive function.
• Increase happiness and life satisfaction. Social interaction can help to increase happiness and life satisfaction. A study published in the Social Science & Medicine journal found that people who had more social interaction were happier and more satisfied with their lives.

Ways to Increase Social Interaction

Understanding the benefits of social interaction on your physical and mental health is helpful. Yet knowing why you need social interaction is different than knowing how to increase the amount of social interaction you’re getting. This is even more crucial for older adults.

Thankfully, there are many ways to increase social interaction. Some ideas include:

• Volunteering locally, as this is a great way to meet new people and make a difference in your community
• Joining a club or group, such as book clubs, fitness groups, and social clubs
• Take a class at a local college or community center, since learning new things and meeting new people helps to keep your mind sharp
• Attending social events and spending time with family and friends is also a solid method for increasing your social interaction
• Enjoying social events such as concerts, festivals, and community events, since attending these events with the people you care about, or even just getting together for dinner every once and a while, helps provide you with the social interaction you need to stay healthy

How Retirement Communities Help with Socialization

Oftentimes, one of the biggest barriers older adults face when it comes to social interaction is isolation. Simply not having access to opportunities to socialize can be an incredibly challenging problem to overcome. For older adults who are facing feelings of isolation, one excellent solution is to move to a retirement community.

Modern retirement communities are some of the best places for people looking for opportunities to socialize. Thanks to the vast array of amenities most retirement communities offer, it becomes much easier for an older adult to experience fulfilling social interactions. Retirement communities typically have everything you might be looking for, including:

• Fitness centers where you can take fitness classes with other seniors
• Art studios where you can learn how to paint, draw, or sculpt in a classroom setting
• Clubhouses where you can get together and socialize with other residents
• On-campus dining where you can enjoy a good meal with friends or family members
• Regular entertainment events like concerts and movie screenings
• Outdoor spaces like gardens and walking trails that you can enjoy with others whenever you like

The Importance of Social Interaction

Social interaction has benefits for mental and physical health on people of all ages, but it’s especially important for older adults. By increasing social interaction, older adults can improve their physical and mental health, and live a happier and healthier life. If you’re concerned that you’re not getting enough social interaction, consider moving to a retirement community near you to instantly amplify your social network.

If you’re wondering where to start, Acts Retirement-Life Communities oversees some of the most lovely campuses on the east coast. Explore any of our 27 communities now.