by Sophia Smith: Ageing is the most natural part of life, and it’s up to us to use that time in the most rewarding way possible…

As you age, you might feel like time is passing more quickly, and that you are slowly but surely narrowing down the circle of friends, family, and people you engage with. This is also normal, but it doesn’t have to define your future. Quite the contrary, it’s never too late to meet new people, reconnect with old friends and acquaintances, and create a thriving social circle.

Staying socially engaged as you age is a great way to retain your mental sharpness and longevity, improve your quality of life, and manage stress and anxiety. Unfortunately, the pandemic has made socialization a tough challenge, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t have a thriving social life by following a few key tips.

Here’s how you can stay socially active and engaged in your silver years.

Make an effort to stay in touch

First things first, we can’t expect to preserve our social contacts and stay relevant in other peoples’ lives if we don’t make an effort. It can be easy to sit back and wait for everyone else to call us or pay us a visit, and it’s often easier to let others organize social gatherings. If you have a proactive friend or a group of friends who always organize your gatherings, then you probably don’t feel the need to reach out yourself.

However, keep in mind that this mindset is not exactly a healthy one, and in these trying times, it might leave you feeling alone and abandoned. Now that people are keeping their distance, it’s more important than ever before to show incentive and actively keep in touch with your friends and loved ones.

Don’t expect others to call you, instead, call them regularly, send a text message to check in, ask about their day, organize a meetup online, and just take the initiative. You’ll quickly realize that people have no problem staying in your life if you show them how much you care.

Enjoy various activities with others

Socializing as you age is not just about talking to others and asking about their day, it’s about doing meaningful, engaging things together and enjoying the activities that stimulate your body and your mind. You want to stay invested in your relationship by trying out various activities that will bring you closer to your peers.

You can still practice social distancing and enjoy numerous activities with people who are near and dear to your heart. As long as you keep a physical distance and adhere to other COVID prevention measures, you can go on walks with your loved ones, exercise together in the outdoors, or play various social games to challenge your mind.

Socialize online to stay safe and healthy

The pandemic is, unfortunately, not going anywhere anytime soon, and it’s imperative for seniors to exercise caution and safety. If you’re stuck in lockdown or if you’re simply too wary of the pandemic, then the most responsible thing to do is to socialize in the online world.

Fortunately, nowadays the web is teeming with thriving social groups for seniors where you can connect with like-minded individuals to talk and share stories, play social games, exchange ideas and skills, and much more. Joining an online group where people of the same age hang out is one of the best ways to beat the feeling of loneliness, meet new people, build friendships, and enjoy quality companionship.

Meet people by volunteering

When you’re in your silver years, one of the most rewarding things you could do is to give back to your community. Volunteering is good for the mind and the soul, and it can help you nurture your mental health while staying socially active and engaged.

Depending on where you choose to invest your time, you could be meeting many new people on a daily basis, some of which you’ll be able to build a thriving, understanding relationship. As long as you and the other person are following the safety rules, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t start giving back to your community.

Consider going back to work

Many people start feeling stressed and bored when they retire. Sure, retirement might feel great at first, but after a while you can start feeling like you want to get up and do something meaningful with your time. For many seniors, this is the moment when they realize that they want to work again.

Don’t be afraid to get back into the job market if you’re looking for social interaction, new acquaintances, and new challenges in life. Who knows, maybe getting back into the workforce is just what you need to live a thriving life as a senior.

Wrapping up

As we age, we tend to feel more socially isolated, even without a pandemic. Be sure to stay socially active and engaged in your silver years by using these tips and making an effort to build meaningful relationships online and offline.

Sophia Smith is a lifestyle blogger, graphic designer and a food enthusiast. She is very passionate about eco-friendly and green topics, sustainable fashion, eco beauty, and conscious business. Sophia’s other hobbies centre around her love for yoga, wellness rituals and living in balance with nature. She loves sharing meaningful content that inspires people and has covered topics ranging from organic products and sustainability to self-care and mental health. Sophia has contributed to a number of publications including Eco Warrior Princess, Naughty Nutrition, Herbs Mother Earth Living, Yoga Trade, Sivana Spirit, Bonvita Style, High Style Life, Carousel, and Cause Artist.

You can find out more about her writing by following her on Twitter (@sophia_bri) 

Contact: sophia.smith.bri@gmail.com