Episode 5: Book Club

Deliberate Aging

You might wonder how a book club could improve your health, but it offers more than just literary discussions—it fosters learning, connection, and fun. Reflecting on my own experience, I recall monthly gatherings filled with lively debates, laughter, and camaraderie. While my book club disbanded during COVID-19, its impact on my well-being has stayed with me.
Book clubs can help reduce loneliness, a significant health risk linked to cardiovascular disease, dementia, and depression. Regular social interaction fosters a sense of belonging, which improves mental and physical health. If books aren’t your thing, other activities—volunteering, taking a class, or calling a friend—can achieve similar results. Research, such as studies on multigenerational households, shows that social connection extends life expectancy and enhances well-being.
The American Heart Association states that loneliness and social isolation increase around this time of the year and they offer suggestions to try if you're feeling alone such as visiting friends, joining a group or a class, helping others / charity work. These suggestions are more than just feel-good advice, they are backed by research that shows the profound health benefits of human connection. Their facebook post from 12/5/24 is linked here: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1JBDT2mKFP/
Engaging in book club discussions challenges your mind, broadens perspectives, and strengthens critical thinking skills. For example, our group once debated a moral dilemma from a novel about a mother protecting her guilty son. These discussions stimulate mental processes, help preserve cognitive function, and encourage open-mindedness.
Reading itself is another brain booster. Historical fiction, my favorite genre, not only entertains but also educates. Books like The Red Tent and Small Things Like These have taught me about different cultures and historical events. Reading allows you to escape, explore new ideas, and even "travel" to places like Paris without leaving your home.
Check out wikipedia if you want more info on the Magdalene Laundries which is discusssed in Small Things Like These: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magdalene_Laundries_in_Ireland
Beyond the intellectual benefits, book clubs are simply enjoyable. They provide a break from daily stress, an opportunity to laugh with friends, and a chance to immerse yourself in captivating stories.
If book clubs aren’t for you, there are countless ways to combat loneliness and promote well-being. I stay connected through monthly girls’ nights out, weekly calls with my mom, and ballroom dance lessons. My 83-year-old mother finds connection through church, daily phone calls, and her regular beauty parlor visits. The key is discovering activities that fit your lifestyle.
This week, I challenge you to share how you combat loneliness. Do you belong to a book club, or do you find connection in other ways? Head over to my Facebook page, Deliberate Aging, and share your story—it might inspire someone else to try something new.
#oprahbookclub #bookclub #magdalenelaundries #americanheartassociation
www.facebook.com/DeliberateAging