According to a study conducted by the University of North Carolina, building social relationships is as important as exercise and diet in extending one’s lifespan. Being socially active can help you maintain good physical and emotional health as well as an improved cognitive function.
Social interaction can reduce your risk of the following health conditions:
- Cardiovascular problems
- High Blood pressure
- Cancers
- Osteoporosis
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Depression and Anxiety
With these benefits, it’s very important make a constant effort in building and maintaining friendships and staying connected with family members.
Here are different ways on how you can ensure an active social life:
- Schedule regular visits to your children and grandchildren.
- Use social media to constantly talk to your family and friends as well as to join online forums. Through different social networking sites, you can find old friends and find new ones.
- Join groups that focus on activities that you enjoy such as a Book Club or Invite your friends to play Golf or Card Games together.
- Enroll in a class to learn something new or to experiment a new hobby.
- Volunteer in your community. You will not just build social relationships, you will also be able to help the ones in need.
- Join a gym or a fitness class. Doing physical activities becomes more fun when you do it with others.
- Travel often. Whether internationally or just around town, traveling is a good way to meet new people and learn about other cultures.
So if you want an enhanced and a longer life, make sure that you don’t isolate yourself from others.
