The Benefits of Staying Connected Socially in Retirement

Date : 10-05-21

After retirement, it is normal to feel like your social circle shrank dramatically overnight. After working for many years with the same colleagues and having opportunities to interact with others daily, it is natural to miss the high levels of human connection and interaction you’ve grown accustomed to.

While people from work probably vowed to stay in touch, the reality is that you cannot rely on them fully for social support, especially if they are still working full-time or are keeping busy with their own families and commitments. In our fast-paced world, even your children, grandchildren, and long-time friends likely have a lot on their plates, so you may need to find new ways to stay social after retirement.

Staying social in retirement is a very important part of thriving as you age. Research shows that it significantly impacts longevity and fulfilment because, as social creatures, we all need to feel connected in every stage of life. Having positive relationships with others can also improve your self-esteem and provide you with a support network to lean on in difficult times.

Below are some of the benefits of staying socially active as you age.

1. Being part of a community can increase your longevity

Research shows that having positive relationships and being part of a community is critical for longevity and happiness. The quality and quantity of social relationships are even proven to impact how likely we are to fall ill with a cold, how we handle life stressors, and the amount of physical pain we experience.

In contrast, social isolation and loneliness have been found to negatively impact physical, mental, and emotional health. Some studies say that we are 50% more likely to live a long life when we have a healthy social circle than when we do not. Therefore, staying social in retirement is just as important for health as eating a balanced diet and staying physically active as you age.

2. Social relationships improve self-esteem

No one is at their best when they feel neglected and lonely, which is why having an active social group can contribute to self-esteem. Knowing that you are cared for by others and that you enrich the lives of your friends and family undoubtedly makes you feel better about who you are in retirement.

A study found that there was a direct link between self-esteem and life satisfaction in older life. Interestingly, it also determined that older adults who participated in lifelong learning programs were more likely to have higher self-esteem than those who did not.

3. Social support helps you cope in difficult times

While growing older can come with many benefits, it is also a time in life where we may face more health challenges and start to lose a lot of the people we are closest to. Not having social support following the death of your spouse, parent, or long-time friends can make dealing with difficult times even harder.

You will also want to have people you can talk to about daily life stressors or personal challenges, so you never have to cope with them alone. Having a good group of friends means others can be there for you emotionally and keep you busy when you need to take your mind off negative thoughts, loneliness, and even grief.

Live your best LIFE

Naturally, our social circle changes as we grow older, so it is important to seek out opportunities to meet other older adults through social groups and other activities that interest you. The LIFE Institute at Ryerson University in Toronto, Ontario, is a great opportunity to meet like-minded older adults, attend lectures, volunteer, and join clubs and walking groups.

Learn about the benefits of LIFE membership or reach out to us for more information. We’re happy to welcome you to our community of older adults who are dedicated to later life learning and can help you stay social after retirement.