Sandy's Note: Finding the Door to Connection

Why should we continue being social? What are the risks of withdrawing from active engagement with others?

Research continues to show that social connection can support longer, healthier lives. Being socially disconnected has been associated with higher risks of health concerns, including heart disease, stroke, anxiety, depression, and dementia.

The question is: how should we socialize, and what works best?

The answer appears to be different for each person. What works is often what feels meaningful, manageable, and realistic for you as an individual.

Today’s highly electronic world can make it easy to stay home, turn on the television, order food for delivery, heat up a meal in the microwave or air fryer, and call it a day. While those conveniences can be helpful, they can also make it easier to stay home more often. Over time, the result can be isolation.

Technology, however, can also be used as a tool for connection. Regular FaceTime or video calls with family and friends can brighten the day on both sides of the conversation. Family and friends can be just a click away, especially when those calls are scheduled and maintained.

Local community centers also offer many opportunities for social engagement, including classes in fitness, cooking, music, and other stimulating activities. Area churches of all denominations often offer social gatherings, prayer groups, discussion groups, games, and sometimes meals for those in need. These can be excellent opportunities to schedule time for connection.

Where do we find these activities and event offerings?

Here in our small community of Sisters, Oregon, we have our local paper, The Nugget. It comes out every Wednesday, and many of us know what day of the week it is when The Nugget hits the streets.

Inside, there are sections such as “Community Announcements” and “Events and Entertainment.” These sections often highlight local library events, food resource opportunities, free community events, music, book readings, and other cultural gatherings.

If your local area does not have a regular resource like this, there may still be other places to look. Local churches, libraries, and community centers often have a wealth of knowledge about social gatherings and weekly opportunities for groups to meet.

Some people may read this and think, “I live far out. I don’t drive. I have difficulty getting around. I don’t feel like getting out.”

There may still be options for regular connection. One example is Meals on Wheels.

When my mother-in-law was unable to drive and lived in the countryside in West Virginia, we contacted the local Meals on Wheels program to bring her lunch Monday through Friday. The driver quickly became a friendly lunch partner who would sit and talk with her for a few minutes at each delivery.

Family and friend connections are also important, no matter how they are scheduled or maintained. Do not be afraid to reach out and reconnect with someone you have not seen or spoken to in a long time. You may find that they have been thinking of you, too, and have also wanted to reach out.

Connection often has an impact on both sides. Both people may feel better after talking and may find themselves wanting to talk or meet again soon.

What is the key?

Like any key, you have to take the action of putting it in place, turning it, and opening the door.

Being active, social, and engaged can help us feel more connected to life. It can be stimulating, strengthening, and positive.

Find the door that is right for you. It is there.

Make the connection, and see what is inside that door.