As we age, we tend to get passive, which harms both our health and our social lives. However, even if you live alone and have only a few or no friends at all, there are still a few ways you can boost your social life! Try these tips and you’re guaranteed to have fun, meet new people and even stay fit and healthy.
Take up new hobbies
It’s never too late to take up new things and develop a passion! So, if you feel like your old hobbies aren’t keeping you entertained anymore, find something new. Don’t know where to start? Return to your childhood and try to remember things you loved to do then. For instance, if you loved to be surrounded by nature and animals, why not volunteer at an animal shelter? Abandoned pets always need some extra love and belly scratches! On the other hand, if you always liked to create new things with your hands, take up woodworking, painting or even simple coloring-in! These activities are super fun and creative and they are great for maintaining good hand-eye coordination. So, join a club to learn these new activities and you’ll both broaden your hobby horizons and meet great people!
Stay active
Staying active is super important for senior health. Regular workouts are the best way to maintain a healthy weight, retain your muscle mass, keep your bones strong and practice balance and flexibility. For instance, pilates is one of the best activities to control all of these important functions listed above, but it can also be very relaxing. And don’t worry, you won’t have to attempt all those circus-level poses! There are classes specialized for seniors and adjusted to your level of physical fitness! So, find a good local pilates club, join and start to reap benefits. Plus, you’ll meet a lot of your peers who also love to keep active and fit. You’ll have so much to talk about!
Find a good community
One of the best ways to boost your social life as a senior is to find a good community that will always have you surrounded by different and friendly people. For instance, Bellmere aged care has an amazing social opportunities from taking an evening strolls with other members, visiting cinema, enjoying a time in beauty salons or wellness centre, organizing BBQs, etc.
Play games
If you already love all the puzzles, word games, crosswords or Sudoku, great! All of these games are both fun and extremely good for keeping you mentally fit and sharp. They are also soothing and a great way to reduce stress and tension. However, most of these games are solitary activities, but they don’t have to be! Designate one day a week for game night, invite your friends and family and play your heart out. Games like Scrabble, Uno, Rummy, Mahjong or Carcassonne are perfect for a fun game night full of laughter! And who knows, maybe these game nights will turn into a long-lasting tradition.
Learn about the Internet
New technology can be super intimidating to seniors, but once you get deeper into the way things work, you’ll soon see the potential these gadgets have. So, don’t run away from technology, but try to embrace it! There are great computer classes out there modeled specifically for seniors, so make sure to join and explore the digital magic. You’ll also learn all about social media, which is a great way to meet new people, find old friends, stay in touch with family and communicate with like-minded people in various groups and pages! Plus, you don’t even have to move from your chair which is perfect for seniors with mobility issues.
Get a dog
An amazing way to stay occupied, entertained and loved is to get a pet. Once you find your furry friend, your home will instantly burst with life, laughter and pure, unconditional love. But, aside from being great life companions to seniors, especially those who live alone, a dog will also push you to go out and stay active. They need daily walks and love visits to the park. So, grab a leash, take your pup out to the park and while they play, you can socialize with other dog owners, share tips and tell fun pet-related stories.
Just because you’re old now, it doesn’t mean you don’t need friends and fun! Actually, staying socially active is just as important for your overall health as regular exercise and doctor’s visits. So, don’t hesitate to try out these tips and have fun, happy and healthy senior years!
SheSociety is a site for the women of Australia to share our stories, our experiences, shared learnings and opportunities to connect.
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