This week we’ll muse about the last 2 types of aging which are social and psychological. The experts in this space separate the two, but to me they go hand in hand.  

I’m a firm believer that people need people.

To nourish us in mind/body/spirit.

We found this out during the first months of covid and then into the two years that followed. It was a pretty stark reminder that community keeps us happy and healthy.

There are so many studies that look at loneliness and our physical and mental health. Many of them say the same. "Not being supported socially can cause greater risk of heart disease, chronic lung conditions and depressive symptoms, faster cognitive decline, increased risk of ill-health and poor wellbeing."

These researchers found that being socially active can benefit older adults.  "A study of more than 3,000 older adults found that making new social contacts was associated with improved self-reported physical and psychological well-being.” 
 

One of the surprising findings is that loneliness does not necessarily correlate with living alone. The study found 43 percent of surveyed older adults felt lonely, yet only 18 percent lived alone.
 

Communities have changed over the last several centuries. More families are living apart, more families have 2 working parents and less time to be social outside their work life, many communities don't have the social opportunities available for the longer living population.  We need human contact and touch to stay healthy and to keep our brains in shape. 
 

The take away from all of this is that as we are living (aging) at any age, being social or a part of a community can help us both psychologically and physically. My joy in building the community I have is that we can talk about life and laugh while we are moving, engaging both mind and body. 

After researching and reading so many articles I thought about what I do when I start to feel lonely. I'm not often lonely but when I do feel a bit lonely it is time for me to reach out to family and friends. Continue to make new connections and tell and listen to stories. 

I also joined a pickle ball group to fill a part of my day off since I’m so used to talking to people all day, a quiet day hits me a bit harder. I also check in with what’s happening in my community that I can participate in by myself if a friend or my husband doesn’t want to participate.

Take a look at your day and week and see how you are living.  Is it with enough social and psychological joy? If you still feel lonely, reach out to a therapist that can help you walk through this.

May you find joy in how ever you are choosing to live.