Social Connections & Recreation: Mental Health Month

Finding other people to relate to and doing things that bring you enjoyment are great ways to improve your mood and overall mental health.

LONELINESS IS BAD FOR YOUR HEALTH

Being lonely cause the same amount of damage to your lifespan as smoking 15 cigarettes a day and is more dangerous to health than obesity. [1] Loneliness is associated with a higher risk of high blood pressure in older people. [2]

Poor social supports make it harder to recover from mental illnesses, while a strong social support system improves overall outcomes and the ability to bounce back from stress. [3]

Women diagnosed with breast cancer who had weak social support systems before treatment had more pain and symptoms of depression over time than those who started treatment with strong social support systems. [4]

SOCIAL INTERACTION AND RECREATION ARE ALL AROUND GOOD FOR YOU

People with strong social relationships are 50% more likely to live longer. [5]

People who do things in nature have better perceptions of their own emotional well-being. [6]

Taking a vacation can help you to feel happier and less stressed for a while. Even short vacations help! [7]

Adolescents who participate in sports have lower odds of suffering from depression or thinking about suicide, likely because sports increase self-esteem and social support. [8]

One study showed that people who participated in leisure activities like reading, playing board games, playing musical instruments, and dancing were less likely to develop dementia. [9]

Participating in outdoor recreation decreases symptoms of depression in people with disabilities. [10]

People with schizophrenia and other serious mental illnesses who participated in MHA’s It’s My Life Social Self-Directed Care Program experienced increased quality of life across 12 different measures and a drastic reduction in hospitalization rates.

CONSIDERATIONS FOR CAREGIVERS

Feelings of loneliness and isolation are common among caregivers. [11]

Adult day care and other respite programs can help reduce the demands on caregivers which may improve morale and allow more time for social and recreational activities. [12]

TIPS FOR FINDING FRIENDS AND THINGS TO DO

1. Look for rec sports leagues in your community. Softball, kickball, and flag football are pretty common. Depending upon where you live you may be able to find other games like bocce ball, skee ball, or shuffleboard as well.
2. Check meetup.com. This website has groups all over the country that are based around specific activities or interest areas.
3. Volunteer! Volunteermatch.org has a database of opportunities across a variety of causes, nationwide
4. Take a class. Check out your local parks and recreation department or look at national chain stores like Michaels or Home Depot that offer classes and events.

SOURCES  http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/conditions/4mind4body-social-connections-and-recreation