But You're an Introvert!: Senior's Guide to Family Concerns About Social Interaction

Every person has a different level of comfort when it comes to social interaction. Some people are naturally talkative, outgoing, and gregarious. But others of us are the reverse. Being quieter, less sociable, and even somewhat shy are the signs of a natural introvert.

If you are a senior who is also an introvert, you've been dealing with being an introvert all your life. But the challenges may become more pronounced as you get older. You may find yourself facing greater pressure to be sociable, to the point that becomes uncomfortable.

Social Interaction Is Important For Health

On the other hand, you don't want to become isolated and lonely as you age. Unfortunately, that is an all too common fate for older adults. This will have plenty of bad effects. That's because being healthy is not just a matter of getting exercise, eating a good diet, or other aspects of keeping the body in good shape.

Psychological health is as important. Mental wellbeing cannot be overlooked. Humans are social creatures. Nature has designed us to want and need social interaction with others. No one can be happy and psychologically well without strong, meaningful relationships with people. We all need people who care about us — and who we care about in return.

What you want is to find a sweet spot in the middle between an amount of socializing you find overwhelming and an amount that isn't enough for a fulfilling life. There are a couple of precepts to follow to keep your social interaction at a moderate level — not too little, not too much.

Be Clear

Clear, direct, straightforward communication is the simplest and almost always the best way to get what you want from other people. Your loved ones care about you. They may be concerned about you not getting enough social interaction, but they also want to treat you with respect. Just explain to your friends and family in simple, direct terms why you don't want or need a huge amount of social interaction.

Don't Take Your Introversion Too Far

As an introvert, you probably prefer spending a lot of time alone. The risk for introverts is that this harmless natural tendency can get out of hand if care is not taken. Moderation is the key in all areas of life. You have to balance out your inborn tendencies to introversion with the need that all humans have for quality time with other people. A fulfilling life must have at its heart a meaningful level of social interaction. If you find yourself all alone for multiple days, you may have gone too far.

Whether you are outgoing or introverted, it is important to socialize with other people. Dealing with this simple fact is where Senior Helpers of Southwest Houston comes in.

For seniors in Houston, Pearland, Bellaire, or any part of Harris County, Texas, Senior Helpers is here to serve you. We offer you specialized care right in the comfort of your own home. We offer a wide variety of services. That includes care for older people with Alzheimer's, dementia, Parkinson's, and many kinds of chronic diseases. We also offer personal care, companion care, and end-of-life support care. Contact us, Senior Helpers in Houston, for more information today.