When you are a carer it can be easy to forget about yourself, and the importance of looking after your own wellbeing. When you are caring for someone, keeping your own strength up is critical to managing the additional physical and emotional strain.
And whether or not you are a carer, socialising is an important aspect of your physical and mental health.
For instance, did you know that connecting with friends can boost your brain health? If you need reasons to help justify spending extra time lingering over coffee with a friend, or setting aside time in your busy schedule to connect with family, read on.
Research shows these benefits of having an active social life:
• You may live longer. People with more social support tend to live longer than those who are more isolated.
• You will enjoy better physical health. Social engagement is associated with a stronger immune system, especially for older adults.
• You will enjoy better mental health. Interacting with others boosts your mood, improving feelings of well-being and decreases depression.
• You may even lower your risk of dementia. People who connect with others generally perform better on tests of memory and other cognitive skills.
Connecting with others plays a big part of what Manchester Carers Forum is all about. So if you feel you are struggling with caring – why not come down to one of our support group meetings and give us a try!