Why Having Fun with Friends Is Important
As my wife Mary Ann and I were enjoying the Frankie Valli tribute at our active adult Del Webb Community, I couldn’t help but notice how much fun everyone was having. The entertainer was really getting into the performance. After the show, I overheard a lot of comments like: “This was fun!” And: “He was so entertaining!” And: “The show was enjoyable.”
Why? I wondered as I looked around the room. Is it because he was that great of a singer? I don’t think so. Don’t get me wrong—he wasn’t bad, but nobody sings like Frankie Valli.
Here’s my theory on why everyone had such a good time.
Two (and More) Is Better Than One!
British author C.S. Lewis once wrote: “Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art… It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things which give value to survival.” Personally, I’m inclined to agree. I think the reason we all enjoyed the Frankie Valli tribute so much is because we were with friends. With 2,000 people living in our active adult community, you don’t know everyone. However, you do know a lot of people! All of our neighbors were there, plus the people we met in our clubs and activities. Even with the people you don’t know personally, you share a “we are in this together” family attitude. A strong sense of community.
Studies have shown you are more likely to smile, laugh, and feel emotions more strongly when you’re with friends. Just think if you go bowling by yourself or with your spouse, vs. going with a group of friends. After getting a strike, you’re more likely to smile, laugh, and celebrate with a group of friends as opposed to when you’re alone.
Plus, there’s an even more important reason we should all have fun with friends.
Friends are good for our health!
Having Fun With Friends at an Active Adult Community
Good news for you social butterflies reading this. At active adult communities, it’s so much easier to have fun with your friends. Why? Because you have a lot of friends right there in your community! Not to mention, you have dozens of activities to enjoy with them. From cooking clubs to book clubs to movie nights, you can make so many cherished memories alongside both old and new friends.
And it’s not just entertainment!
It’s everything you do!
Walking with friends. Playing cards with friends. Even just having house guests. There are countless ways for residents at both my active adult communities and those scattered all across the U.S. to have fun. Living here has brought a particular shine to my golden years.
That’s truly what retirement living is all about.
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Originally published November 26, 2024
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