“IT WAS SO NICE TO WORSHIP IN MY HOME!”
My friend, John, had not attended his church services for months, and some parishioners wondered if he was in the hospital or if he moved to another state to live with his daughter. I was concerned about him and called him, hoping that he used the cell number I had. He did, and he answered on the first ring. After a few minutes of chatting, I asked him if he was feeling ok since I didn’t see him around anywhere. I found out why I didn’t see him around much.
“I got spoiled during the pandemic! I watch services online, attend a book club online, and even meet with my kids and grandkids with FaceTime or Zoom. It is so convenient, and it’s amazing to me how it’s just like being there without having to hurry up, dress up, get in a car, and go out.”
John really liked staying home to keep in contact with friends. I had wondered if he had the typical “social inertia” so many of us get during the bleak, gray winter or spring days. Sometimes we just don’t want to leave our house. In cold, snowy weather, it’s hard for us to get around—so why should we go out? Conventional wisdom would say we should stay home. But staying socially active is good for our health.
For millions of people who live with chronic disease or who are aging, isolation can have a very serious effect on their physical and mental health. Staying at home might be a necessity, depending on one’s physical limitations, but for many people, not going out and about can have a serious effect on their physical and mental health. The good news is that there are many ways to overcome loneliness and improve their quality of life.
A 2006 University of Chicago study indicated that emotional isolation is linked to elevated blood pressure, especially in seniors. Researchers found that lonely seniors have blood pressure readings up to 30 points higher than their socially connected peers, regardless of race, sex, or other health factors.
Social relationships are important. Having a personal network is a necessary part in anyone’s daily life. People who are engaged in a network of personal relationships experience a higher level of wellbeing than those who are socially isolated, and they also tend to be healthier.
The positive relation between someone’s personal network and their health and wellbeing is explained in different ways. According to Dr. Anja Machielse, “Social interaction helps a person’s identity and self-respect, and defines their social identity. Networking also helps people with social integration and gives a feeling of security.”
A 2000 census showed that the number of seniors (and those with chronic health problems) who live alone climbed to 9.7 million, and that number seems to be growing, too. Persons living alone might be prone to isolate themselves socially for a variety of reasons:
• Death of their spouse, relatives, and friends
• Retirement
• Illness
• Decreased physical mobility
• Loss of the ability to drive
• Intentional reductions in their social networks to include only those who the seniors or person feels close to. The good news is that there are many ways that those living alone, even with greatly curtailed mobility, can prevent and combat loneliness. Some proven methods include:
Volunteering
Studies show that volunteers live longer, have higher functional ability, have lower rates of depression, and have a lower incidence of heart disease, according to a study by the Corporation for National and Community Service.
Social and support groups Joining others not only combats loneliness but can be a way to build new friendships as well. (Some support groups exist for various health challenges: Mended Hearts, Cancer Survivor’s, etc.). There are many groups that meet on a topic at various venues.
Connecting with others on the Internet Although this seems to be just what people should not do when they might isolate, it can also be a start and a motivation to go out for a movie, cooking club, etc. It was estimated that in 2022, there were 5.4 billion users, more than two-thirds of the world’s population. For those who face mobility challenges, using the Internet can lead to people with similar interests through a variety of resources and websites.
Some people love to read and learn something new. Reading and Googling for information is non-threatening and can move a person to gather with others with similar interests. It can be a threshold to meeting some folks who talk about history or make homemade cards or jewelry. Learning a new skill requires you to interact with an instructor and fellow students. Choosing to take a cooking course or to learn how to use a computer can enhance your social skills and life. Most communities have courses at the public library, local colleges, community centers, senior centers, churches, or other places. Many teach how to improve your computer skills or tips on new tasks using your cell phone.
You might not learn how to make a wonderful Italian pasta or pen the Great American Novel in your class or group, but you will have fun and meet new people in the process. And that can be healthy, too. Just challenge yourself to go out of the house and do at least one thing.
My dear deceased mother, Loretta, would advise that you start by going to church. The healing touch of interacting with others, will follow.
Trust my mother!
Sister Karen Zielinski is the Director of Canticle Studio. Canticle Studio is a part of the Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania, OH’s overall advancement effort and has a mission of being a creative center where artists generate works, products, and services in harmony with the mission of the Sisters St. Francis. She can be reached at kzielins@sistersosf.org or 419-824-3543. ✲
