A general sense of loneliness and isolation has been on the upswing in the last few years as the world grows more and more attached to tech and social media. This feeling of being far away from everyone else can get even more pronounced as you age. New friends can be harder to come by, even as energy levels dip and health issues start cropping up. Getting proactive in creating and maintaining a social circle is therefore imperative, especially as you advance in your years. Here are four tips to help you combat that feeling of loneliness and isolation.
Look into Senior Living Homes
Gone are the days of drab, boring ‘old age’ homes. Modern senior care facilities such as senior living NJ communities are vibrant and bustling. Best of all, you get an instant social circle of similarly aged residents that are invested in creating and maintaining a friendly, welcoming, and social place. Modern senior living facilities offer a rich range of activities that you can choose from. There is something for everyone, from introverts to extroverts, from booklovers to outdoorsy people. You thus get to calibrate your social calendar according to the energy and time you want to invest.
Get Involved in the Community
One of the best ways to make a connection with your fellow humans is by volunteering your time to a cause you can get behind. We all have our talents, skills, and pet causes. Dig into your talents and look into offering a free class to fellow seniors, adult beginner learners, or children. Join a non-profit or start offering free classes at your local school or community center. Volunteering not only helps you mingle, it has been proven to have significant mental health benefits.
Join a Fitness Club or Exercise Class
Exercising and staying fit ensures a longer, healthier life. You can double the benefits of exercise by joining a group activity such as a yoga class, hiking group, meditation class, or a gym. You’ll not only improve your fitness levels but will also get a lot more opportunities to meet people and make friends. Exercise can also help combat anxiety, depression, memory loss, and fatigue, while meeting people with similar interests can energize your mind and boost your sense of well-being.
Let People Know if You Need Help
It’s a sad contradiction of life that often, the people that need help the most, find it the most difficult to ask for it. You don’t need to ignore your needs or pretend everything is fine when it isn’t. If you’ve been raised to be independent and never ask for help, it can be especially hard to break the cycle. But asking for help can be the bravest and kindest thing you can do for yourself. We’ve been designed to be interdependent as a species. Give yourself the freedom to take space and voice your needs. Talk to a qualified therapist if you need to.
Advancing years need not mean an end to new friendships or experiences. Take charge of your social and inner life to help you keep loneliness at bay and enjoy life to the fullest.
