Individuals with enhanced social relationships not only improve psychological well -being by gaining a sense of belonging and lessening depression, but also physical health by enhancing immune function and reducing heart attack risks.

Leisure activity has been examined as such a mediator. In this context, leisure activities are defined as preferred and enjoyable activities participated in during one’s free time.

Leisure activities are characterized as representing freedom and providing intrinsic satisfaction.

Individuals can recover from stress and restore social and physical resources through leisure activities.

Leisure activities with others can provide social support and in turn mediate the stress health relationship, enrich meaning of life, recovery from stress, and restoration of social and physical resources, as well as helping older adults adapt to potential restrictions of chronic conditions and overcome negative life events (e.g., divorce or bereavement).

5 TYPES OF LEISURE ACTIVITIES IN OLDER ADULTS

1. Mental

2. Social

3. Physical

4. Productive

5. Recreational

GOOD RELATIONSHIPS BOOST MENTAL HEALTH, INCREASE LONGEVITY

One of our most basic human needs is having social connections. People who maintain ongoing positive relationships live better and longer, with lower risks for cognitive decline.

When we connect with people we care about, it provides both physical and emotional benefits. A person may experience an increase in heart rate through hugging and kissing, and a sense of belonging causes the body to release oxytocin, a powerful hormone that boost mood levels.

By contrast, social isolation can threaten a person’s mental health. Extended periods of solitude can lead to depression or, in extreme cases, psychosis. For instance, prisoners in solitary confinement have reported hallucinations of relationships. Their minds conjure these fantasies to cope with the stress of social isolation.

BRAINS ARE WIRED TO BE SOCIAL

The importance of social connections begins from the moment of birth. Human contact influences brain development, which can be delayed in infants who have not been held or caressed by their mothers

Using MRI scanning to track the neural reactions to small electric shocks, the researchers discovered that holding a spouse’s hand provides the emotional support to decrease neural activity in the brain’s frontal lobe that controls the anticipation of pain. Hand-holding also lowered activity in the hypothalamus, a deep brain region that manages stress hormones release. Holding the hand of a stranger had almost no effect.

Friendships Boost Brain Health and Longevity

When we spend time with friends, our brains release oxytocin, a hormone that improves mood and protects against the negative impact of stress.

Research has shown that people who were more involved socially had significantly longer life expectancies. Time with friends and family boosts a person’s confidence and self-esteem and a stimulating conversation is a way to exercise brain cells. For instance, the process of anticipating what someone else is about to say and how you might respond keeps neural circuits active and engaged.

CREATE A HEALTHY SOCIAL CIRCLE

Recognizing that a friendship might be having a negative emotional impact and attempting to get rid oneself from relationship clutter is critical to reducing stress. It also allows you to spend more time in healthier relationships that bolster your mind health.

CONNECTING THROUGH HUMOR

When we laugh together, it causes immediate release of tension, which can bolster both physical and mental health.

Comedy can also help us to cope with discomfort by providing a lighter perspective on stressful feelings.

Humor that pokes fun at others can come off as critical and raise rather than lower tension.

Humor can also boost mind. Research on how the brain functions during humor reveals complex activities involving a variety of neural circuits. Another benefit of humor is that it lower stress, which protects brain cells.

Laughter triggers the brain’s dopamine reward system. That dopamine surge makes us want to continue experiencing the positive feelings of a good laugh.

TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIAL CONNECTIONS

New technologies offer newer ways to remain connected with friends, family, and associates. Computers, smart phones, and other gadgets have made it easier to stay in touch with both professional and social contacts interactions.

However, it is important to control your online life and enhance human contact, especially conversation. This will help you pay better attention to the emotional and nonverbal expressions of a conversation, and thereby pick up subtleties that would otherwise be missed.

Videoconferencing is often more effective than email for conveying emotion and subtle social cues, but it is still less valuable than in-person communication. Although our devises are convenient and keeps us connected in a practical way, when it comes to conveying emotions, empathy, and nonverbal cues, face-to face conversations are still the best approach.

Tips for Mind-Healthy Relationships

• Make a conscious effort to remain connected with your family and friends to strengthen brain cell function.

• Conversations are a form of mental exercise that solidifies your neural networks. Be sure to spend time every day talking about issues that you find interesting to keep your brain cells nimble.

• Choose friends who practice healthy habits that are contagious and will improve your own.

• Try to let go of toxic relationships to reduce stress and allow more time for healthy relationships.

• Practice being more attentive when listening to others. Avoid interrupting and focus on what they are saying so you can be more empathic.

• Try to share your feeling without criticizing, and let your friends know that you understand how they feel.

• Enjoy humor, which strengthens bond and diffuse tension. But keep in mind that timing and context is critical to effective humor that avoids anger or resentment and instead brings people closer.