Isolation not always self-imposed, but up to you to break out

By CATHERINE JOHNSON | THE SAULT STAR

"It is a well known fact that isolation is a serious problem for many seniors. Folks who withdraw from society and isolate themselves are setting themselves up for a real case of depression. One of our most basic human needs is to interact with other people. When we are interacting with other people we experience a sense of belonging. Each of us has a need to be needed. Our existence must have meaning and socializing with others provides the opportunity for us to be needed by someone, somewhere. Interacting with others validates our sense of worth.

Isolation is not always self-imposed. Sometimes we find ourselves feeling very cut off from the rest of the world by events such as the death of a spouse or a divorce. These can be very lonely times, and it is important that we take a look at our situation and consciously decide what we are going to do about it. We must say to ourselves, 'I can overcome this solitude.' In these situations, we must choose to do something to help ourselves. You are probably saying, 'What can I do to help myself?' Actually, it is quite simple -- you must reach out to other people. I said it was simple, I didn't say it was easy!

If you find yourself in one of these types of situations, you should have a good chat with yourself and determine what is best for you and for your health. Ask yourself what kind of quality of life you want for you. Some folks may feel a little selfish doing this, but trust me. it is OK.

It may be difficult in the beginning to motivate yourself, so it is important to set some goals around the kind of things you would like to be doing. Start small and don't rush. Take your time gathering information, find out all you need to know about a program or place you think you might like to try. This will help you to feel more comfortable when you first attend.

If you are feeling very apprehensive about attending an event for the first time, perhaps you could ask a family member or a friend to attend with you. Having someone with you for the first visit is often the key to being successful. If that is not possible, please don't let that stop you from trying something new. Most folks who reach out to help themselves will find someone out there reaching back to them.

You will be amazed by the difference in how you feel physically, mentally and emotionally once you begin to interact with others. When you are doing things that you like, you will have a lot more energy, for starters. You will sleep better and usually have a better appetite and generally feel more upbeat.

I know many seniors who have faced some very disappointing situations in life who have picked themselves up, and by the grace of God and a real determination, they have found challenging ways to broaden their range of activities and brought balance back into their lives. With some strength of mind and a positive attitude, you can, too.

I know it sounds kind of a cliché but there is a saying that goes something like, "Attitude is 90 per cent of the battle," and I must say I believe that is a pretty accurate account of how things usually work out. It goes back to the old doom and gloom story.

If you get up every morning and serve yourself a good portion of doom and gloom, it is safe to assume that you will have a rather rotten day.

On the other hand, if you get up in the morning and you are grateful for your arrival to another beautiful day and you say, 'Today I am going to have a great day,' chances are things will go pretty good for the day.

There are times in life when maintaining our social connections can be difficult, and we find ourselves not by choice living in a world of loneliness. Reaching out for help will help overcome these feelings of isolation and it will help to keep us active and involved in life. Your are the only one who can reach out for you. No one can do this for you, so it is up to you to decide. You need to say I choose to help myself."

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