Build new social connections and enjoy these benefits along the way.
Throughout our lives, friendships are often created with people who share the same stage of life we’re in. The friends we meet in our childhood, college, and even adult lives are typically within a similar age range as ourselves.
While these friendships are wonderful, it can also be life-enriching to cross those arbitrary age divides and befriend people from different generations.
The benefits of intergenerational friendships for seniors include:
- Expanding your social circle
- Sharing skills & experience
- Enhanced emotional well-being
- Cognitive stimulation
- Mutual learning & growth
Let’s learn more about these benefits of intergenerational friendships and how they can help you live a happier and more fulfilling life!
Expanding your social circle
Older adults often enjoy the energy, enthusiasm, or fresh outlook of younger companions, making for lively conversations and interesting shared activities. In turn, younger individuals can learn a lot from their older colleagues, including the rich life experiences and changes in times, technologies, tools, and toys that each generation observes.
Sharing skills & experience
Sharing experiences and knowledge between generations is a win/win for everyone. Seniors may be able to act as mentors, imparting career advice and life lessons to younger people who are trying to establish themselves in the world. If you loved your career before you retired, this is a great way to keep your finger on the pulse of the professional world. Or maybe you’re a skilled gardener who can join a community garden and pass on your green thumb! At the same time, younger companions have so much to teach us – in areas ranging from today’s technologies and social media to current trends and customs.
Enhanced emotional well-being
There’s nothing better than the warm glow you feel inside after connecting with your fellow human beings — and that’s something that is not limited by age! Intergenerational friendships provide opportunities for laughter, joy, and emotional support, while alleviating stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. Sharing life stories, engaging in fun activities, and simply enjoying each other’s company can boost your happiness and overall emotional health.
Cognitive stimulation
Intergenerational friendships can also serve as a catalyst for cognitive stimulation and mental agility. By engaging in conversations and trying different activities with younger individuals, seniors can broaden their horizons, learn new perspectives, and keep themselves mentally active. This stimulation can help maintain brain function and potentially reduce the risk of cognitive decline. In fact, studies have shown that regular social interaction can improve memory and intellectual performance — you can see a difference in as little as a ten-minute conversation!
Mutual learning & growth
Both seniors and younger individuals benefit from intergenerational friendships by embracing the chance to learn from one another. Seniors can gain new insights into the modern world, new technology, and current trends. Younger folks can learn about how the world has changed during their older friends’ lives, the history they’ve watched unfold, and the timeless lessons they’ve learned along the way. This ongoing exchange of knowledge and perspectives creates a rich friendship that benefits everyone involved.
There are so many wonderful benefits to intergenerational friendships, and it all starts with having the courage to reach out. If you’re wondering how to make new friends (of all ages!), check out these seven ideas for meeting new people.
