Silver and Gold Magazine Spring 2016 | Page 28

silvergoldmagazine.ca INSPIRATION STAY CONNECTED Maintaining strong social connections with family and friends adds immensely to one’s overall health and wellbeing – just as much as diet and exercise does. Here are a few tips for staying socially engaged and leading a happier and healthier lifestyle. Organize regular social gatherings at a favourite restaurant Nothing connects people more than sitting down together and catching up over a meal. Pick a place with a relaxed, casual atmosphere and a wide variety of choice so that everyone can find something they like. With their delicious buffet and spacious dining areas, Mandarin is the perfect place for a social gathering, big or small. Mandarin is also a good choice because they offer over one hundred options to choose from on their buffet – from hot entrées and grilled meats, to a customizable salad bar, sushi bar, and more. 28 Connect with us on Facebook! – By Trishna Mahtani Organize a monthly book club Reading a book and meeting with friends every month for a healthy discussion, helps to keep the mind and imagination active while giving you an opportunity to stay connected with friends. To make your evening hassle-free, plan ahead and order-in food from a local restaurant, as this will allow you to spend more time together. Mandarin has been a favourite for those hosting gatherings at their homes as they have over one hundred different dishes on their take-out menu available for pick-up or delivery. Get creative and order a few dishes that you have yet to try, in addition to the regular favourites. Volunteer in your community Volunteering is a great way to meet new friends, build strong ties with your community, and provide a powerful sense of purpose. From volunteering at a hospital, to helping out at a food bank or soup kitchen, there are a lot of organizations looking for kind-hearted people to lend a hand. •