Yesterday I wrote about seniors staying in the loop by using modern technology to form social connections. Social connections are big news these days. Two more articles about social relationships were featured in today’s newspapers. Do you think they are trying to tell us something? Dr. Elizabeth Smoots (Herald: Tuesday, December 28, 2010) wrote about understanding your own feelings and using that knowledge to connect with other people. A second article written by Elizabeth Bernstein (The Wall Street Journal) discussed how to make 2011 a year of cementing great relationships.
So, what has changed? Maybe people have been self centered long enough. Bernstein reminds us that perhaps it is time to focus on the state of our own relationships instead of the state of our abs, although they could probably use some work too. Seniors are a part of this revelation too. If you feel guilty because you are dependent on others for everything from grocery shopping to entertainment, you tend to draw back because you don’t want to be a bother. The trouble is that if you stop asking for help or friendship, you draw the people who love you the most into your self imposed state of misery. They will worry you know, so why not take responsibility for your own happiness?
The Washington Jewish Week offers many wonderful articles about and for seniors, and “Get out there and stay social” by Sharon Naylor is one of my favorites. We know by now, that health reports and wellness surveys stress the importance of an active social life. They tell us over and over that socialization is the smartest thing that you can do for yourself. Getting out there and interacting with other people, of all ages, keeps you alert and healthy. The key, she reminds us is find activities that you are excited about. Groups are boring if you they don’t pique your interest and that rather defeats the purpose. Try writing down a list of activities that you might find fun. Fun, remember that word? Something that makes you tingle with pleasure and laugh out loud. Some of us enjoy doing things on our own, such as gardening or reading, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t share this interest with others. The author suggests classes at a local nursery or the arboretum. Join a group of others with the same interests. Share your love of reading by joining a book club or better yet, teach someone else how to read.
Your local library is a good place to start. They have information about everything from social events, community gatherings, and classes available on every subject. Learn how to use the Internet to get information on established social organizations like the Red Hat Society. Yes, fun. You remember, the smile on the face, companionship, and laugh out feeling that you may not have had in years. Don’t forget to ask about Facebook and other social networking tools in order to reconnect with old friends and make new ones. Social activities are the answer and they are right next door.
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