For our enjoyment, physical and mental wellness, and even lifespan, a sense of belonging is essential. It provides us with a feeling of meaning and purpose. Lack of belonging has been linked in studies to stress, disease, lower health, and sadness. It’s simple to feel lost and alone when you don’t feel like you belong. Here are some reasons why a sense of belonging matters for aging adults in independent living apartments in Barrington, NJ.
It Helps Us to Manage Stress
The value of feeling to be a part of something is inextricably linked to our physical and mental well-being. The social bonds that accompany a sense of belonging serve as a protective factor that helps in regulating stress and other behavioral issues. Whenever we feel like we have support, we are more resilient and typically able to manage difficult events in our lives more successfully. Effective coping reduces the harmful effects of these conditions on one’s health and mental health.
It Is One of Our Crucial Needs
If you don’t already know, a sense of belonging is a basic human need. A. Maslow, a psychologist, asserts that before we can succeed in our fields of interest—be it in sports, academics, or personal matters—we must first experience a sense of belonging. This is why having a sense of belonging is important in retirement communities.
It Helps Manage Mental Health Conditions
Lack of a sense of belonging is a significant factor in mental health issues like depression and anxiety. These circumstances can cause social behaviors that hinder a person from connecting with others, starting a chain of events that further erodes one’s feeling of belonging. Hence, it’s important to break this cycle and form our sense of belonging.
How to Boost Sense of Belonging
If you want to feel a sense of belonging, here are some ways to do that in your retirement community:
- Make an Effort: Making an effort is the most important component in creating a sense of belonging. If you don’t make the effort to interact with people, you cannot belong. Meeting new people could be awkward at first but give it some time; you might need to work on your self-talk.
- Be Mindful of Others: While interacting with others, try to forget about yourself and instead concentrate on the other person or the group. To feel more at home, it’s important to engage in discussion. Asking questions back and forth, engaging in small chats, carefully disclosing oneself, and listening to replies are all key social skills.
- Practice an Attitude of Acceptance: Recognize that you are unable to change just because other people have different perspectives than your own. Place more emphasis on similarities than differences. Similarities frequently strengthen bonds.
For you or your loved ones who want to live the independent life you’ve always wanted while still getting help when you need it, our Independent Living community is the ideal place. Our Independent Living community makes it simple for you to enjoy your retirement while achieving the independence you’ve always desired, from our exclusive senior living programs to first-rate amenities. Contact us right away to learn more.
