Finding and Maintaining Meaningful Friendships

Finding and Maintaining Meaningful Friendships

For baby boomers staying active is important for their health. This holds true for not only their physical health but mental and emotional well-being as well.

Meaningful friendships form a large part of the emotional health of an individual. But for the elderly one problem is to maintain old friendships along with all their challenges that come with their age. Due to health issues in old age, it is not always possible to meet with friends. This is also the time many move away to newer locations or community homes following retirement. It then becomes difficult to maintain old friendships.

But for baby boomers staying active socially is important for many reasons. Spending good time with friends elevates moods, relieves stress and keeps depression away. Social interactions also help keep physical health in good shape. So, it is even more important for baby boomers to maintain old friendships and even form new friendships.

Despite many difficulties it is possible to maintain old friendships and to make new friends.

• Technology

Technology has made it possible to keep in touch with friends even when distance or change of location might make it difficult to meet on a regular basis. Embrace technology and don’t lose touch with your friends.

• Avoid isolation

Don’t isolate yourself even if going out is the last thing you want to do. You don’t have to go out and meet people every day. But social isolation can bring its own set of problems that can lead to many physical and mental health issues.

• Become the member of a club

Join a club that caters to your interests. This is a good way for baby boomers to make new friends.

• Learn a new sport

Don’t let age be a factor that inhibits you from playing a sport. Team up with a friend to play a sport you both enjoy or learn a new sport. Learning something new with a friend can be twice the fun. For baby boomers staying active in the company of friends can be a blessing. Schedule your walks or runs with a friend and let the fun multiply.

• Do volunteer work

Volunteer your services to help others. This is a great way to meet new people of all ages. Use your experience to help others as well as gain new friends. You can volunteer to teach underprivileged kids in your community. It could be a skill or a language or a sport. Making friends with the kids can be even better for keeping those brain cells active and the heart young.

This is also the best time to do something you always wanted to do.Take a few classes and you might end up earning a new skill you always wanted to and also make friends who share the same interests as you.

Posted by Melanie Mendoza on Monday October 13 2014, 3:44 AM EDT. All trademarks acknowledged. Filed under Lifestyle. Comments and Trackbacks closed. Follow responses: RSS 2.0