Most of our lives, we take socialising and companionship for granted. Between family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, and more, we have ample options for connecting with others. Over time, however, people move away, we retire, and life situations change. Add to that disabilities, illness, and aging in general, and these opportunities dwindle even further.
Socialising and companionship become even more important as you get older, though. Here are a few health and wellness benefits of interacting with others.
Boost your mental health
Isolation isn’t good for anyone, regardless of your age. We’re social animals and we need to connect with others to share our thoughts, feelings, and opinions. Research shows socialising and companionship positively affects your mental health. It also makes you feel happier, reduces stress, and decreases anxiety.
Boost others’ mental health
You’re not the only one who gets the mental health benefits of socialising and companionship. Those you interact with gain these many advantages as well. Spending time with others helps you build the deep connections that stimulates both your and your companion’s mood and feelings. You both benefit from trusting and connecting with each other.
Increase self-esteem
We all feel socially awkward and less than confident about our social interactions. But just like with anything else in life, the more you practice, the better you get. Not only does this help increase your self-esteem, but it also helps you understand yourself better and those you interact with. When you connect with others, you might learn you’re a funny person and your companion is both funny and compassionate. You’ll only discover these insights when you spend time with others.
Enhance physical health
Studies show that socialising and companionship also help you physically and mentally. Those who spend time with others tend to live longer and also reduce their risk of developing dementia. When you share common interests with someone, your satisfaction increases, offering positive physical benefits with long-lasting effect.
Expand your cultural boundaries
You need not go out in the community every day to expose yourself to individuals from other backgrounds and cultures and with different world views. Your home health provider can connect you with carers from different ethnic backgrounds to help you learn more and develop mutual respect.
Final thoughts
Are you stuck at home thanks to an illness, disability, or other confining reason? This doesn’t mean you can’t socialize with a companion. Contact your home care assistance provider to set up companionship visits as often as you want.
If you’re uncertain about the best scenario for your loved one, contact My Guardian at 1800 694 827. We’ll walk through all your options and help you choose the one that best meet your preferences and your budget.
