You’ve done your work for the day and holiday music is coming from the radio. The weather outside is overcast and a light wind is blowing; not exactly frigid, “light-jacket” weather you used to say. You really don’t want to spend the entire day on your computer, friends and family contacts thrill you, but enough is enough. You wonder what else you can do. Without realizing it, a holiday depression is creeping up and now it’s time to take action – your Facebook site can help.
Login to your Facebook account. Type the words “Retirement Facility followed by the name of your city, or town, and state” into the search block; press “enter.” A listing of retirement facilities in your area will display. Review the list carefully. Try to find anyone you know who is a resident in any of the facilities. If so, give them a call, and plan an activity together. Most communities welcome outside participants to activity programs.
Enter the words “Shopping Mall” followed with the name of your city, or, town and state. Press “enter.” A list of shopping malls will display. Study the list and write down the names of two malls in close proximity to your residence. Don a pair of walking shoes, comfortable clothes, and head to the mall of your choice. Combine a long “mall walk” with a light lunch. Devote at least two hours, or more, to this activity. Each time you go for a mall walk, alternate the mall of choice for a change of pace.
Type “Senior Center” in the Facebook search tab, followed by the name of your city or town, and state. The names and addresses of senior centers will display. Jot down the telephone numbers of those nearest you and give them a call. Ask them about their hours of operation. Directors of drop in centers usually increase the number of activities during holiday periods to chase away “holiday blues.”
According to the Aging and Technology Research Center at the University of Buffalo’s School of Public Health and Professions “Depression is a medical illness that involves the body, mood, and thoughts. It affects the way a person eats and sleeps, the way one feels about oneself, and the way one thinks about things.” Facebook is a tool you can use to your advantage. Very few senior citizens have a degree in computer science but most of them use Facebook to help keep active. Follow through with your searches and combat that “lonely” feeling. Use Facebook to ban depression from your life — especially during the holidays.