Want to live a long and healthy life? Start with your social connections. Increasingly, research shows that healthy aging depends on strong, meaningful social connections, even more than exercise, healthy eating, and medical checkups. “Our relationships form a lattice of support that constitutes the largest single factor in the overall well-being of most people,” says Steven Crane, MS, Stanford social engagement research scholar (Stanford Lifestyle Medicine).

Staying socially connected can even have immediate benefits for fall prevention (National Council on Aging). It encourages movement and overall confidence in physical activity, as well as boosts cognitive engagement.

Prioritize social engagement and commit to a consistent activity to see the benefits of social connection for yourself. Join us on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month for Social Spark! Stop by at noon with a bagged lunch (or grab something from the café) for some unstructured social time. Then at 1 pm our featured presentation will begin, often live music! Each meeting has a different topic and presenter.

As we age, friendships shift and change, but the importance of friendships remains. Across the lifespan, friendships boost happiness, lower stress, and improve self-confidence (Mayo Clinic). Close friendships go beyond social ties and feeling connected with others. They contribute directly to improved health outcomes. Many older adults say their close friends motivated them to make healthy choices and helped them when they were sick. In fact, when it comes to discussing overall health concerns, most adults over the age of 50 with close friends say their friends can be counted on for support (University of Michigan).

Casual interactions like talking to a neighbor, chatting with someone in a fitness class, or saying hello while you are out for a walk have an outsized benefit; research shows that people who frequently engage in these types of interactions report feeling happier and more socially connected than those who do not. Not sure how to make new friends? Try starting with group activities like fitness classes, library or community programs, chess or book clubs. Dr. Richard S. Schwartz, a psychiatrist with Harvard-affiliated McLean Hospital, says, “Friendships usually emerge slowly, and it often takes six months or a year of regular contact.” So don’t be discouraged if you don’t instantly click with someone. “…try another similar club or league or one with a different focus. Eventually, you’ll find like-minded friends,” says Dr. Schwartz (Harvard Health).