Meadow’s Musings: Meadow Martell

Last week I talked about my trip to Hawaii. Today we are going to take a walk to an area much closer to home. I recently went with two of my neighbors to the Eight Dollar Mountain Botanical area. The trail starts on Forest Service road 4201 not far from here. This is a botanically rich serpentine terrain area. Although it was still early into spring there was still a lot to see and admire. The hike starts on a paved boardwalk and at some point, turns into an easy-to-follow path heading up river through the woods. Spring flowers had barely started to show. Our hike ended at the Little Falls Campground.
We are blessed to have an opportunity so close to home to visit a rare plant area. I encourage you to get out before it gets too hot and take advantage of visiting an area that is one of the rarest habitat types in North America.
As a single woman I know how important it is to get out of my comfortable shell at home and socialize more. For the first time in months, I visited some good friends and shared a lovely meal and played an easy card game. I am reminded how important social contact is as we age, and it takes some focus and effort to maintain these important contacts.
There is an important link between social connection and longevity. Regular social engagement can protect against depression, anxiety, and stress. An active social life supports lower blood pressure, better immune function and healthier cardiovascular systems. Social connections can be of all types and include close friendships, family relationships, community engagement activities, and professional and recreational groups like clubs, teams and workplace connections.
For some of us building and maintaining social connections can be challenging due to barriers like geographical distance, busy schedules or even social anxiety. We can overcome these barriers by starting small, joining groups that interest us, considering a pet companion, and seeking professional support if needed.
Meaningful connections and cultivating a sense of community and purpose, support both our mental and physical health. This is a powerful tool for longevity, helping us stay resilient, engaged, and fulfilled at every stage of life. I say these things because I know how important it is for my own mental and physical wellbeing.