Did you know that July is Social Wellness Month and how important Social Wellness is for your health? Here are 7 tips for Social Wellness.

Hi, Fellow Community Members!

July is Social Wellness Month! Just what does that mean? Social wellness means taking care of yourself and the relationships in your life. As we get older, staying socially connected—in a real way, not just clicking “like” on Facebook—become more important.

Some of the health benefits of social wellness include a longer life, a healthier heart, better response to stress, and a stronger immune system, according to the University of Minnesota.

And here’s a scary but true fact: “The health risks from being alone or isolated in one’s life are comparable to the risks associated with cigarette smoking, blood pressure, and obesity,” the University of Minnesota reports.

Here are some suggestions of a few ways to strengthen your social wellness for better health.

1. Exercise regularly. It’s not only great for your physical and emotional health, it’s also a great way to meet new people. Maybe you can even find an exercise buddy.
2. Get a dog. Those furry friends are great companions, and they force you to get out of the house and take a walk, and that boosts the chances that you’ll meet new people and socialize.
3. Volunteer for a cause you believe in. It’s a win/win—you feel good from helping others, and you reap the benefits of a larger social network with like-minded people.
4. Connect with others by sharing a hobby. If you need to find others who share what you like to do, check social media sites like Facebook, websites like Meetup, or ask around the community or at your local library. Many local libraries sponsor hobby-oriented events.
5. Reach out for your own needs. It can be hard sometimes to let others know when you need help, be it emotionally or even with simple tasks. Yet we all need others. Reach out, and you may be surprised to find how much others want to help you.
6. Phone a friend. Do you have a long-lost friend you haven’t contacted in months or even years? Pick up the phone and give them a call. Establishing and maintaining social connections goes a long way toward boosting your mental health.
7. Relax! Of course, it’s easier said than done. But make a special effort to do things you find relaxing. This helps your overall attitude and demeanor (not to mention your physical health), and that can only help you more when you reach out to others.

If you’re not sure about the strength of your social wellness, the website American Senior Communities has an easy quiz you can take. It may help you identify areas where your social wellness can improve.

Yours truly,

Jonathan Marsh

Thanks for reading our blog.  At Home Helpers of Bradenton, we look to not only make life easier but to also make a difference in our clients’ lives.  It is truly an honor to have an opportunity to work with members of our community and we take the trust bestowed to us very seriously.

Call Home Helpers of Bradenton to Care for Your Loved One

For more information about how Home Helpers of Bradenton can serve you and your family, call (941) 499-5946, email JMarsh@HomeHelpersHomeCare.com or visit www.homehelpershomecare.com/bradenton.  Our senior home care services including homemaker care, companion care, personal care, Alzheimer's and dementia care, respite care, 24 hour care & live-in care, and monitoring and medical alert services are available in Manatee County and Sarasota County in and around the communities of Anna Maria, Bradenton, Bradenton Beach, Ellenton, Holmes Beach, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat Key, Myakka City, Palmetto, Parrish, and Sarasota.  Our main office is located at 4230 59th St W, Ste C, Bradenton, FL 34209.

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