During the pandemic, we learned how isolation could take a toll on mental health. Now that the vaccination is available, you can add social engagements back to your calendar. Old friends are wonderful, sharing your history and knowing all of your good stories. And new friends help you learn about new ideas and backgrounds.
There are so many benefits to making new friends.
How Making New Friends Boosts Health
More than 27% of people over 60 years old are living alone. Sometimes you can fall into isolation if you’re not interacting with people throughout the day. Challenge yourself to make new friends and see the benefits:
• Fills Up the Calendar: When you decide to make new friends, you have to get out and about to meet them. So even if you schedule an in-person grocery trip where you start chatting with people at the store, it is something to fill up your calendar and get you out mingling.
• Helps You Try New Things: You can make new friends by joining new groups. Do not be afraid of the local senior center and the resources it has to offer. Join a book club, cooking club, or yoga class. It is never too late to try new things.
• Stimulates More Than Your Social Skills: While it is great to socially interact, you will find yourself at a new exercise class where you are strengthening muscles or at a book discussion where your brain is expanding with ideas and knowledge. Making new friends reinvigorates other parts of your well-being in the process.
• Builds Confidence: Walking up to a person and initiating an exchange takes some courage. For some seniors, it has been years since they made a new friend. When you receive a positive reaction and engage in getting to know someone, it builds confidence inside you to keep at it.
• Increases Cognitive Function: An increased level of social activity has proven to improve cognitive function over a period of time. So keep your brain quick and sharp by making new friends.
There may be some feelings of social anxiety associated with making new friends. How do you find things to talk about? What if they don’t like you? But once you start engaging with people and opening up, you’ll find the things you have in common and connect on issues you thought were unique to your experiences.
At Greenwald & Gerke, we want to celebrate your golden years and make the rest of your life the best of your life! Please reach out to our team to discuss how we can help you achieve your goals: (844) 782-9674.
