AARP published a list of health reminders in it’s December Bulletin, How to Stay Healthy in the New Year back in 2017. One tip is to spend time with a friend or loved on each day. Most of the other tips have to do with physical health or nutrition. So why the tip about socializing?
According to Psychology Today, socializing can boost your brain health and reduce the risk of dementia. According to Simplemost.com, in The 6 Health Benefits of Being Social, socializing can not only help you sleep better, but also help you avoid coming down with colds, reduce your vulnerability to depression and help you live longer. Lastly ValueOptions gives a deeper explanation of why socializing helps improve health and longevity in The Benefits of Social Interactions. ValueOptions post explains that feeling worthwhile leads to a long life.
I would clarify that spending time with people that are negative, critical and judgmental is not likely to improve your health. So saying “socializing improves your health” is too general to be helpful advice. If someone has a family member or friend that frequently shames them, violates their boundaries, is often needy, talks nonstop and doesn’t listen, (aka “Toxic people“), then spending time with those people won’t improve your health, and, can actually make you feel worse.
Therefore, I add a caveat to the advice above. Spending time with people that validate you, support and encourage you, that are honest and open with you, and that genuinely care about you, can be hugely beneficial to your physical and mental health. (This is one reason why the term “loved ones” is used versus “family.”)
What are your thoughts and experiences with socializing for your health? Share your comments below!
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