Recently I enjoyed listening to a very informative podcast about positive ageing and how our lifestyle habits from our 20's onwards shape how well or how poorly we age in later life.
We all want to be independent, active and healthy for as long as we possibly can and this podcast covered three particular areas that are proven to contribute to how we age.
This study was completed by Dr Rose Anne Kenney in Trinity College, Dublin (author of 'Age Proof: The New Science of Living a Longer and a Healthier Life') and you may be surprised to learn that the number one most important factor contributing to ageing well is friendship (followed by diet and exercise).
Humans are social beings and isolation has a detrimental effect on our mental and physical wellbeing.
Over the past few years, many people found that they lost their routine of socialising and some have become more isolated as a result. Humans need social interaction in order to feel healthy and positive.
When we spend time with our loved ones and our friends, the love and bonding hormone called oxytocin is released. This hormone supports the release of serotonin in the brain, another feel-good hormone!
I know personally when I spend time with people I love, whom I trust and connect with on a deep level, I feel joyful, appreciative and optimistic about the future. When we are in good company, we laugh lots and we share the details of our lives.
How can you nurture the friendships you have over the next few months? Could you start a new activity with existing friends such as going walking locally at a particular time of day?
Look up the local clubs and societies and try something new. Keep an eye on the local paper and notice boards for events coming up.
Ask friends or family over for dinner or for coffee.
Start an exercise or dance class and chat to the others at the end of a class.
You may find that by starting a new activity you make new friends who have similar interests to you.
Local family resource centres often run classes and activities during the day and evening time if you want to try a new activity.
Remember that if you are out of practice of socialising, it may take you some time and practice to get back into the swing of chatting to people.
If you struggle with social anxiety, it may feel more challenging to get out there. Rest assured that with practice and once you feel the feel-good hormones that your body produces when around other people, it will get easier.
If you find it difficult to strike up conversation, put the focus on the person you are speaking to and ask them questions about themselves rather than trying to find something interesting to say yourself.
People love to talk about themselves and if you ask them questions about their life, you will feel less self-conscious.
Remember that socialising takes practice and you can start with a manageable activity and build up your confidence over time.
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