The Importance of Staying Socially Active for Seniors

Did you know that socializing can offer abundant health benefits? When you spend time with others, you reap the benefits improved mental and physical health as well as an extended lifespan. However, it can be difficult to stay socially active when you’re trying to focus on your physical healthy by keeping your distance from others.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began last year, we’ve been urged to stay socially distant from others to help decrease the spread of the virus. This physical separation may make it seem harder to nurture the connections we have to loved ones and our community, but there is an array of opportunities to help improve your social wellness from a safe distance.

4 Safe Ways to Stay Socially Active

Below are a few ideas for seniors to keep a safe distance while still being socially active.

1. Schedule Video Chats and Phone Calls. Thanks to the advancements in technology, there are more opportunities now than ever to stay social when you can’t be physically near your loved ones. Now you can reach them through phone calls, texts and even video chats. When you can’t be face-to-face, having a conversation via a phone, tablet or computer screen is the next best thing. That way you can enjoy seeing their friendly faces without putting anyone at risk.
2. Have a Movie Night Virtually. You don’t have to give up movie nights just because you’re not in the same room together. Thanks to technology like the Watch Netflix Together free Chrome extension, you can watch your favorite shows and new movies with your loved ones, completely in sync. There’s even a chat box so you can chat during your film night if you don’t want to be on the phone at the same time.
3. Take a Walk Outside Together. If you can still stay six feet apart or wear a mask when you can’t, meeting up for a walk outside is a low-risk activity, according the Mayo Clinic. This way you’ll have a chance to get some fresh air, participate in physical exercise and connect with others!
4. Bake or Cook Together. While you may not be able to sit down at a table together, you can still make something delicious together and stay socially distanced. Schedule a video call with a friend or loved one and follow the recipe from your own homes. Laugh, enjoy the process together and share how each version of the dish turned out.

Experience Ways to Improve Social Wellness at Winchester Gardens

At Winchester Gardens, we want to make it easier for residents to stay socially active, even during the COVID-19 pandemic. Residents Marylyn and Dick Masia moved to our community in March 2020, right as the coronavirus was in full swing and lockdowns were being initiated. While this time hasn’t been easy on anyone, they told us, “We’re loving it! There are very lovely people here and we’ve made a lot of new friends in spite of having limited access, so that’s exciting.”

If you’d like to learn more about how Winchester Gardens can contribute to your overall wellbeing and offer a life well lived in nearly any situation, contact our team today.