It’s clear that eating right, staying active and getting a good night’s sleep are keys to good health. As it turns out, social interaction is just as important to maintaining wellness of mind, body and spirit. As you age, though, forming new friendships and staying social can become a challenge. Retirement often means leaving work relationships behind. Friends may move away or even pass on. But our senior years offer some of the best opportunities to invest time and energy into nurturing new connections and new interests.
That’s why many older adults — and people of all ages frankly — find the idea of participating in social clubs or membership-based activities so appealing. Book clubs, supper clubs, monthly theater outings, game nights, walking clubs, puzzle clubs — the possibilities of club activity are only limited by your imagination. While the focus of a regular social gathering or membership is less important than the gathering itself, the subject is what will keep participants coming back each session.
One type of club seniors can participate in is a wine club!
How Do Wine Clubs Work?
A wine club is generally a program provided by a specific winery that gives members or those who “sign up” special perks like discounts or invitations to exclusive events. A wine club, which has a membership fee, may also send its members a regular shipment of wine from their own vines. Sharing a membership with friends who are interested in tasting wine or having a glass together from time to time is a great way to make membership in a wine club a social affair.
For those who might like to try varietals from different wineries, a wine subscription is another offering. These are typically third-party services that send you new wines every week or month, based on your preference. You usually start by selecting the types of wines you enjoy, and the subscription service curates a variety of wines from different brands and regions. Like a wine club membership, a subscription is a great way to include friends in your exploration of wine.
Shipping laws for alcohol vary by state, but in Texas, wine subscriptions are legal if the wine is shipped directly from a licensed winery, or the subscription meets certain requirements.
Are Wine Clubs Worth It?
Both wine clubs and wine subscription services are a great way to build your knowledge and selection while discovering new wines at a discounted price. Choosing the best wine club or best wine subscription depends on your budget and your level of expertise. As with any membership, you’ll want to determine if the value of the wine is worth the investment in the club or subscription. Sharing the cost with a small group of friends and creating your own at-home wine tastings is a good way to split the cost, and it gives you a fun opportunity to gather with friends.
The benefits of wine clubs and tastings go beyond the social. Whether through virtual tastings, online forums or exclusive in-person events, wine clubs provide opportunities for like-minded individuals to connect and share their love for wine.
But you may be asking yourself, is drinking red wine good for you? You’ve most likely heard there are benefits to drinking a glass of wine a day. While the research is ongoing, some studies have suggested wine health benefits may include a reduction in post-meal blood sugar levels to help decrease diabetes risk. Plus, it may even lower blood pressure to help prevent hypertension.
Pinot noir is often considered a healthier wine and the best red wine for the elderly because it’s high in antioxidants and has fewer calories than other types of red wines. As with anything, moderation is important. The purpose of a wine club with friends is to give you opportunities for socialization and learning about wine!
Additional advantages of the best wine club subscriptions include:
Education. Many clubs provide detailed tasting notes, information about the wineries, pairing suggestions and even club-exclusive gifts.
Curated Selections. Expert sommeliers carefully curate each shipment to ensure their members receive a thoughtfully chosen assortment. This allows you and your friends to explore new and exciting varieties or labels you might not have considered otherwise.
Convenience. With a wine club, you often have the option to have your selections delivered to your home, providing the ultimate convenience for your wine enjoyment.
Exclusives. Some wine clubs grant members access to exclusive and limited-edition releases that may not be readily available to the general public.
Savings. Many clubs offer discounts on retail prices, and some even provide free shipping as a part of the membership perks.
Benefits of Being Social, No Matter What Kind of Club You’re In
Maintaining and building new social connections as you age — through clubs or shared passions — can provide a variety of health and wellness benefits, including:
Improved Mental Health. Research has shown you can improve your mood through consistent contact with friends and family members. Interacting with others boosts feelings of well-being and reduces stress and feelings of depression.
Improved Eating and Sleeping Habits. Studies show seniors who dine with others often eat more food and choose healthier options. Also, those with good relationships, tend to sleep better than those who are socially isolated.
A Sense of Community and Belonging. Being socially active can help you stay connected to those you care about most. It can also help give you a feeling of belonging and add a sense of purpose to your days.
Increased Longevity. Some studies have shown that those who are connected to others can live a longer, happier life. That’s because friends can help you deal with the stresses of life and can also encourage you to live a healthier lifestyle.
Lower Risk of Dementia. According to the National Institutes of Health, socializing is good for your brain health. By keeping your brain constantly engaged in activity and interaction, you are sharpening your mind and reducing the risk of cognitive decline.
Socializing Is a Community Hallmark
At The Hallmark, our focus is on providing an active lifestyle with a large variety of social opportunities like community happy hours and resident-led wine gatherings. Have an interest or a hobby? Great. There’s probably someone at our community who shares it and if we don’t have a club for it, we’ll support you in starting one.
For example, the resident-led wine gatherings mentioned earlier began simply with a few friends sharing a bottle during community happy hours. From there, it attracted more and more people until it grew to become an official and regular gathering for the group to connect, unwind and socialize through their love of wine.
To sample our lifestyle and see what we mean, contact us to schedule a tour today or call us at 346-223-9741. We’d love to tell you more about resident-led gatherings, clubs and activities at The Hallmark.
Featured Image: Tint Media / Shutterstock
