Many studies have reported the benefits and importance of social and physical activities to the older adults.
Why is participating in social activities good for your health?
Researchers had conducted a longitudinal study that examined how changes in cognition over time are related to participation in social activities such as playing games, socializing with friends, doing volunteer work, and participating in religious group, etc. The results showed that who participated in one or two social activities failed 13% fewer cognitive tasks than those with no social activities. Furthermore, those who engaged in three or more activities failed 33% fewer cognitive tasks. The results indicated that participating in social activities has beneficial effect on cognitive function of the older adults!
(Glei, D. A., Landau, D. A., Goldman, N., Chuang, Y. L., Rodriguez, G., & Weinstein, M. (2005). Participating in social activities helps preserve cognitive function: an analysis of a longitudinal, population-based study of the elderly. International journal of epidemiology, 34(4), 864-871.)
Researchers had conducted a longitudinal study that examined how changes in cognition over time are related to participation in social activities such as playing games, socializing with friends, doing volunteer work, and participating in religious group, etc. The results showed that who participated in one or two social activities failed 13% fewer cognitive tasks than those with no social activities. Furthermore, those who engaged in three or more activities failed 33% fewer cognitive tasks. The results indicated that participating in social activities has beneficial effect on cognitive function of the older adults!
(Glei, D. A., Landau, D. A., Goldman, N., Chuang, Y. L., Rodriguez, G., & Weinstein, M. (2005). Participating in social activities helps preserve cognitive function: an analysis of a longitudinal, population-based study of the elderly. International journal of epidemiology, 34(4), 864-871.)
Feel like being lonely and isolated? Come and join social activity!
Social isolation and loneliness among older adults is one of the most serious problems. A systematic review of 42 studies suggests that participating in educational and social activity can alleviate social isolation and loneliness among older adults.
(Cattan, M., White, M., Bond, J., & Learmouth, A. (2005). Preventing social isolation and loneliness among older people: a systematic review of health promotion interventions. Ageing & Society, 25(1), 41-67.)
Social isolation and loneliness among older adults is one of the most serious problems. A systematic review of 42 studies suggests that participating in educational and social activity can alleviate social isolation and loneliness among older adults.
(Cattan, M., White, M., Bond, J., & Learmouth, A. (2005). Preventing social isolation and loneliness among older people: a systematic review of health promotion interventions. Ageing & Society, 25(1), 41-67.)
Let's move your body!
It sounds obvious that doing physical activity improves your health. Here is the study that showed doing regular physical activity has an effect of preventing several chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, obesity and depression, etc.
(Warburton, D. E., Nicol, C. W., & Bredin, S. S. (2006). Health benefits of physical activity: the evidence. Canadian medical association journal, 174(6), 801-809.)
It sounds obvious that doing physical activity improves your health. Here is the study that showed doing regular physical activity has an effect of preventing several chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, obesity and depression, etc.
(Warburton, D. E., Nicol, C. W., & Bredin, S. S. (2006). Health benefits of physical activity: the evidence. Canadian medical association journal, 174(6), 801-809.)
Benefits of practicing yoga!
Practicing yoga regularly had significant improvement in quality of life and sleep quality of the older adults compared to those who did not practice yoga.
(Hariprasad, V. R., Sivakumar, P. T., Koparde, V., Varambally, S., Thirthalli, J., Varghese, M., ... & Gangadhar, B. N. (2013). Effects of yoga intervention on sleep and quality-of-life in elderly: A randomized controlled trial. Indian journal of psychiatry, 55(Suppl 3), S364.)
Practicing yoga regularly had significant improvement in quality of life and sleep quality of the older adults compared to those who did not practice yoga.
(Hariprasad, V. R., Sivakumar, P. T., Koparde, V., Varambally, S., Thirthalli, J., Varghese, M., ... & Gangadhar, B. N. (2013). Effects of yoga intervention on sleep and quality-of-life in elderly: A randomized controlled trial. Indian journal of psychiatry, 55(Suppl 3), S364.)
Explore! Play with internet! It will enhance your mental health.
Using internet may not be that convenient to someone. However, a very recent study found the overall positive association between internet use and mental health in later life. Internet use not only enhanced interpersonal interaction but also increased access to resources within the community, and empowered social inclusion!
(Forsman, A. K., & Nordmyr, J. (2017). Psychosocial links between internet use and mental health in later life: A systematic review of quantitative and qualitative evidence. Journal of Applied Gerontology, 36(12), 1471-1518.)
Using internet may not be that convenient to someone. However, a very recent study found the overall positive association between internet use and mental health in later life. Internet use not only enhanced interpersonal interaction but also increased access to resources within the community, and empowered social inclusion!
(Forsman, A. K., & Nordmyr, J. (2017). Psychosocial links between internet use and mental health in later life: A systematic review of quantitative and qualitative evidence. Journal of Applied Gerontology, 36(12), 1471-1518.)