As people age, it’s not uncommon to feel a bit lost. You may have spent decades working and raising children and suddenly find yourself with much time on your hands. It’s normal to feel a lack of motivation, experience loneliness, and feel a little more stuck than you have previously. If these are emotions you currently identify with, then you need to know that these feelings aren’t permanent, and there are many things you can do to increase your social connectedness.
Social connectedness, as defined by BC Healthy Communities, “is a sense of belonging to a group, family, or community. It’s about the relationships people have with each other and their engagement with the broader community. Social connection is an integral component of health and well-being.”
Why Social Connectedness is Crucial as We Age
Our social networks are important to us throughout our lives, but they become even more crucial as we age. Older adults who are socially connected enjoy better health and well-being, and they often live longer than those who are isolated. Below we’ve outlined research in just three of the many areas that social connections impact; memory, mental health, and life expectancy.
A 2008 study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that the rate of memory decline is half of that compared to those who are less socially connected.
Furthermore, mental health in older adults who are part of social groups is vastly improved. A 2013 study by Cruwys et al. drew on data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing and found that participating in social group activities protected against depression in healthy individuals, positively contributed to recovery for those suffering, and reduced the risk of recurrence in those with a history of depression.
Additionally, in longitudinal studies across America, Australia, and Europe, we have seen replicated data proving that social connectedness increases life expectancy (Haslam et al., 2015). A 2005 study by Maier and Klumb examined this relationship in an active context, concluding that the social connection experienced during physical activity has a more significant impact on life expectancy than the activity itself.
Now that you can see the benefits of social connectedness, how can you bring more of it into your life?
How to Increase your Social Connectedness
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Actively seek small moments of connection by saying “hello” to people in the grocery store or line in front of you. Ask the receptionist on the phone or the person who makes your coffee how they are, and pause to listen.
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Increase your opportunities to connect with others by joining groups, clubs, workshops, or events. For example, try a group fitness class instead of working out or walking on your own, find a knitting group rather than doing it by yourself, etc. Use things you already do and/or enjoy as a way to bring more moments of connection into your life.
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Volunteer your time to support a cause that will give you the space to meet new people and build relationships while also doing good!
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Consider hosting a dinner party or game night to reconnect pre-existing relationships that might have dipped into a lull.
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Reach out to close friends and family members to schedule a regular/reoccurring day you can get together.
Ageism is a real thing, and it leads to a loss of purpose for many older adults. Proactively finding ways to stay involved with social relationships and taking the initiative to create new connections can quickly combat many of the mental, emotional, physical, and social health complications you may encounter while aging.
If you’re looking for a group to join, click here to start your free trial of our Rooted Tree Wellness Studio Membership. Our membership community is designed for older adults who want to improve their quality of life and maintain independence for as long as possible. We offer a variety of live, virtual movement and mindfulness classes, along with community forums to connect, a recorded library of videos, and workshops to expand your knowledge!
Happy Connecting!
The RTWS Team
*Please note this article is extensively researched but is not written by a medical professional, nor should it be used as medical advice. We encourage you to seek advice from your primary care physician.
References
Ertel, K. A., Glymour, M. M., & Berkman, L. F. (2008). Effects of social integration on preserving memory function in a nationally representative US elderly population. American Journal of Public Health, 98, 1215–1220.
Cruwys, T., Dingle, G., Haslam, C., Haslam, S. A., Jetten, J., & Morton, T. A. (2013). Social group memberships protect against future depression, alleviate depression symptoms and prevent depression relapse. Social Science & Medicine, 98, 179–186.
Haslam, C., Cruwys, T., Haslam, A., & Jetten, J. (2015). Social connectedness and health. DOI 10.1007/978-981-287-080-3_46-1
Maier, H., & Klumb, P. L. (2005). Social participation and survival at older ages: Is the effect driven activity content or context. European Journal of Ageing: Social, Behavioural and Health Perspectives,2, 31–39.
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