How your social circle impacts your health and what you can do about it

Humans are social creatures and research in recent years has shown how social connection is essential to our physical and psychological wellbeing.

But not all types of social connection are equal and new research suggests that the form of your social bonds can heavily impact your health and wellbeing in later life.

That’s the findings from researchers from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the University of Chicago who identified three types of types of social networks — enriched, focused and restricted — that reflect how socially connected people were as they aged.

For over a decade, the research team tracked 1500 older adults through three rounds of data from the US National Social Life, Health and Aging Project which is a long-term, population-based study of health and social factors that aims to understand the well-being of older, community-dwelling Americans.

Led by Prof. Lissett Piedra, the researchers found that individuals in enriched networks (those marked by diverse, active relationships) reported the highest levels of self-rated health, which is strongly associated with overall well-being, while those in restricted networks (smaller, more isolated groups centered on family) reported significantly poorer health.

They also found that those in the focused networks fell in between – the participants received emotional support but with limited breadth.

While participants in the restricted group reported significantly poorer health at the beginning of the study, those in the restricted and the focused groups showed worse health outcomes than people in the enriched group, though the differences had narrowed.

“Social isolation and loneliness can have corrosive effects on mental and physical health,” Prof. Piedra said.

“Older adults’ social circles may shrink due to poor health, loss of loved ones, poverty, discrimination, language barriers or living in rural or unsafe communities.”

The study also found that the focus group was highly mobile, as more than 43 per cent of them moved into enriched networks during the study, while 22 per cent transitioned into the more isolated restricted group.

Conversely, the researchers found that over 85 per cent of those who began in the restricted group remained there, which highlighted the stability, and vulnerability, of this network type.

As Piedra explained, individuals who start off in a restricted network are unlikely to move out or expand their connections to people.

“Many people who are vulnerable, such as women and people of color, are more likely to see their social connections decline and become restricted over time.”

However, the study showed that social networks are not fixed and according to Piedra, older adults can build stronger, more enriching relationships, if they’re given the right support.

“That was the silver lining,” Prof. Piedra said.

“We saw movement into more robust networks across all groups. That gives us reason to be hopeful. We know that these social networks are particularly important as we age and that loneliness has huge implications for cognitive and physical health. The quality of our final years becomes very problematic without an enriched social life.

“It behooves us to understand who is vulnerable and think about creating tailored public health interventions so that everyone can age well.”

As the study showed, anyone can improve their social support with the right help and while feelings of loneliness are a normal part of life, there are ways to combat this situation.

Continue learning

Whether it’s a new language, learning how to paint like Picasso, further studies, starting a new hobby, or undertaking a new project, all are great ways to stimulate our minds and meet like-minded people who share similar interests and passions.

Sign up for group classes and activities

Another effective way to fight loneliness and isolation is through structured group activities, especially those that involve physical exercise. We all know the amazing benefits of exercise, including better sleep, weight management, a boost in energy levels and critical thinking, and a reduction in health conditions such as heart disease. Another key advantage of regular group exercise is social interaction.

Embrace technology

For those who are still unsure about technology, now is the perfect time to build confidence and skills across a range of platforms. Belonging to one of the most adaptive generations in history, it doesn’t take long to handle a smartphone with ease. Embracing and adapting to new technologies and digital platforms allows seniors to get in touch with friends and loved ones around the world quickly and more often. For example, WhatsApp for free instant messaging and Facebook for interest groups and reconnecting with old friends.

Practice mindfulness

Mindful practices such as meditation and breathing exercises are great tools to help battle the negative mental, emotional and physical side effects of loneliness and isolation. Many forms of yoga combine meditation with exercise for a mental and physical health win.

Tap into local community resources

There are plenty of community services designed specifically to meet the needs of seniors, all of which will certainly help strengthen people’s connections to and within the community.

Another great way to meet like-minded over-60s right around Australia is at your local Starts at 60 Meet Up event. Hosted by volunteers from the Starts at 60 community, Starts at 60 Meet Ups takes place once a month across the country where attendees catch up over coffee or lunch, and most importantly good company. Most events are held at the same location on the same day of each month so you can get to know a group near you and build friendships in your own community.

By taking on these practices and activities listed above, people can really help overcome feelings of loneliness.

IMPORTANT LEGAL INFO This article is of a general nature and FYI only, because it doesn’t take into account your personal health requirements or existing medical conditions. That means it’s not personalised health advice and shouldn’t be relied upon as if it is. Before making a health-related decision, you should work out if the info is appropriate for your situation and get professional medical advice.