This month, we want to know how you are preparing for the future by investing in your health! Tell us (or show us) what you do to invest in your body, your mind, and your relationships for your chance to win great weekly prizes and a $150 grand prize! To inspire you, we’ll be featuring regular healthy aging content on the Northern Health Matters blog all month long! (Contest is closed.)
Looking back at my life, I can't help but think of all the relationships I have had. Whether formed in school, early jobs, or in my career, these have impacted me and helped me grow in all areas of my life; in fact, I still recall some of my childhood friendships.
We start our lives with many friendships formed in school - from elementary through high school and maybe college or university. Friendships may continue to form in our early jobs and we often grow into new ones from careers, connections through our children, and sports and hobbies. Some of those relationships become lifelong while others peter off. Then, many of us settle into life, careers, maybe kids and the "busy-ness" of general life. As this happens, even more of those friendships may slip away as we feel that there is just no time for them.
But what happens when "life" calms down, our kids become their own independent adults, and the "busy-ness" of life starts to slow? Or maybe you've come to a big change in your life where you need more support? When we have the time to look around us, we may feel like there is no one there anymore.
The time to embrace your relationships is now!
Staying connected with friends, family, co-workers and your community can help reduce the risk of isolation, depression, and emptiness. According to Northern Health's 2013 report on Healthy Aging and Seniors' Wellness,
Having a strong social network that includes friends and family members brings health, happiness and contentment.
Here are some ways that I have been able to stay connected with many relationships I have encountered throughout my life. Give them a try!
- Connect online: The internet makes connecting with people easy and can be done in the comfort of your home. It is a quick and easy way to communicate, stay involved and catch up with friends and family. Whether it be e-mail, Facebook, FaceTime, Skype, etc. - it keeps you in contact and in most cases you can talk for as long as you want without that dreaded long distance bill! Not too sure how to use these tools? Talk to a tech-savvy friend, a person of a younger generation, or visit your local library! If you do not have the internet, you can always visit a local coffee shop as most have free wireless internet connection.
- Build new friendships: This sounds scary, and you will probably ask yourself: "how?" Start by connecting with people you may already know like a co-worker who you've always just worked with, or a friend of a friend. If you're invited to something new, try just going, even if it isn't for you! You can even just stay for a bit and say "Hi." Try inviting someone new for coffee or a dinner party, a walk, or to a community event.
- Rebuild existing friendships: We are all guilty of bumping into an old friend and saying "let's get together and catch up" but then never following through. Why don't we follow through? Too busy? Not interested? The excuses can go on and on. Like Nike says, "Just do it!" What do you have to lose? Get your old friend's contact info right away and send them a quick text or choose a date and meeting place at that initial encounter. Maybe they need someone like you back in their life, too.
- Volunteer: Volunteering keeps you connected with your community. It is a great way to get out and meet new people. The Government of BC's Seniors' portal reminds us that "volunteering offers numerous opportunities to expand and grow, to learn, to meet new people, to be creative, to feel valued, to make a difference and to help shape the community you live in." People who volunteer have better self-esteem, satisfaction, and have overall better physical and emotional health.
Make time for yourself and start investing in the relationships around you. You might even surprise yourself with how many people want the same as you do, and with how many people do care and support you. Build a strong support network for your future. Starting now will guide your upcoming years to what you always pictured them to be.
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