Staying active and social vital to aging well

Optimal aging adheres to the seven healthy aging habits.

One of those habits is socialization. It’s very important as we age to remain social and take part in the community that surrounds us. We understand that it’s easy to remain still and get caught up in melancholy.

Don’t get us wrong, memories are important, they are the threads that create the fabric in our lives. But if we remain in those melancholy states, life will pass us by.

Through socializing, we start to remember more of who we are and what we enjoy. We begin to take part in community events and, through taking part, we learn new things and make new acquaintances, some of which become great friends.

At the Flourish 55+ Healthy Activity Society we often discuss the importance of learning new things and participating often. Through socialization, we ensure for ourselves a more enriching, healthy and active life.

Statistics show you live longer if you socialize and refrain from isolation as much as possible. With the recent COVID pandemic and subsequent lockdown situation that took place over several years, many suffered greatly within this demographic through isolation and loneliness.

Now that we are no longer in that situation, we can socialize with one another, take a class or a course, meet for coffee or tea with friends or start an exercise class. The point is to start.

So, remember, remain active in body and mind, socialize often and make new friends.

At the Flourish centre we have a great music program that takes place each week. It’s called music jam ession and happens from noon until 5 p.m. every Saturday. This venue attracts six to eight musicians each week. We also have live music on Wednesdays from 2 to 4 p.m.

We also have Crafter’s Corner where people gather to do crafts and listen to music. That can be anything from diamond painting, quilting to scrapbooking. Essentially, there are many opportunities to interact and take part at the centre. The idea is to engage.