When you enjoy a conversation with a cat, things are pretty bad. And for older people, a lack of a social life can even be hazardous to their health. People who don't get out much often succumb to depression, a condition that in turn makes them vulnerable to many illnesses, including heart disease, alcoholism, diabetes and, perhaps, cancer. But just as loneliness can destroy a person's life, socializing can save it. In a recent 13-year study of almost 3,000 senior citizens, Harvard researchers found that social activities such as playing bingo or attending church were as important to survival as regular exercise.
Seniors get more out of socializing than just a few extra years of life.
Friendships and activities reduce stress, help people feel worthy and needed, and stimulate the mind. According to a recent report in the Annals of Internal Medicine, strong social contacts offer powerful protection against the mental declines that often go along with aging. And as Marge Burger found, it just takes a little effort to cash in on the benefits of friendships. A few months after her husband's death, she got involved in programs at the Elks' Club. She joined a bowling team for the first time in 40 years.