Celebrate Holidays Together for Better Health
Getting into the spirit of the holidays is sometimes easier said than done. Financial strain, losing loved ones, or living away from friends and family may result in loneliness during the festive season. Letting those sad feelings get the best of you isn’t healthy, though. Finding ways to celebrate holidays together improves your physical and mental well-being.
No matter how you feel or where you are – whether in a nursing home, rehab facility, or senior living community – make an effort to join fun activities and celebrate the holidays with others.
Anyone who’s mobile can find entertaining ways to stay festive, but not everyone has such luxury. Dealing with chronic illness or disabilities may limit the activities you can participate in. Luckily, therapeutic recreation entertains those with limited mobility. Games, arts and crafts, music, and community outings are available for socialization, confidence building, and enjoyment.
Celebrate Holidays Together
Humans are social creatures, so it’s no wonder we crave togetherness during the holidays. But socialization doesn’t just make us feel good; it has several benefits you may not realize.
Studies show that participating in group activities decreases the risk of cognitive issues. Recent evidence shows individuals with more social connections score higher on cognition tests than those less engaged. Participation in such activities also reduces the risk of cognitive decline. These results may be due to increased brain activity, including engaging all five senses when interacting with others.
Celebrating the holidays together reduces isolation and loneliness, which may increase your lifespan. Stress levels also decrease while boosting your mood for a more positive outlook.
You can participate in the festive season any way you like. Several activities are available, so it’s easy to match a few to your interests. You can cook a group meal or do some baking. You can also get crafty, creating beautiful wreaths, knitted gifts, paintings, needlepoint, ornaments, or other jolly items.
If you want to leave the house, you’ll likely find several social activities in your area. These may include holiday plays, concerts, and movies. If you’re mobile, ice skating or sledding are also fun for the whole family. For a relaxed activity, drive around your neighborhood and check out the holiday lights.
Even those with medical issues or disabilities limiting their mobility can celebrate the holidays together. Care homes and rehab centers often offer festive activities encouraging socialization. These include group sing-a-longs, family dinners, and holiday-themed arts and crafts.
Loneliness and health
An active social life benefits you in many ways, so it’s likely no surprise isolation has the opposite effect. And despite the many ways to celebrate holidays together, our connections are more limited than expected.
These issues aren’t limited to certain age ranges, either. Recent surveys show that 51% of mothers with young kids and 61% of young adults report high levels of loneliness. Experts also state that 63% of young adults are plagued with severe anxiety and depression.
These issues don’t always get better as we age. Studies show 24% of those 65 and older are socially isolated. Evidence also suggests 35% of adults over 45 and 43% of those over 60 feel lonely.
Though isolation is damaging on its own, it has significant health risks worth noting. Superficial or non-existent social relationships are linked to an increase in heart disease, stroke, dementia, and premature mortality. Celebrating the holidays together may not eliminate these medical concerns, but reducing the risk is well worth the trouble.
Resources:
- Harvard Health Publishing, October 22, 2023, Get back your social life to boost thinking, memory, and health
- Agespace, 50+ Things Worth Staying at Home
https://www.agespace.org/coronavirus/winter-activities - Seattle YMCA, December 4 2024, 12 Ways to Celebrate the Holidays
https://www.seattleymca.org/blog/12-ways-celebrate-holidays - AMA, July 14, 2023, What doctors wish patients knew about loneliness and health
https://www.ama-assn.org/delivering-care/public-health/what-doctors-wish-patients-knew-about-loneliness-and-health - NCBI, Social Isolation and Loneliness in Older Adults: Opportunities for the Health Care System
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557972/#:~:text=Approximately%20one%2Dquarter%20(24%20percent,adults%20aged%2060%20and%20older)
This article contains informational and educational materials and does not replace health or medical advice. For questions or concerns regarding your medical condition or health objectives, speak to a qualified physician or healthcare provider.
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