The Villages - July 2017 - 9

Recreation Increases Our
Social Networks
Another crucial variable affecting our longevity is social
networks. Research indicates that happiness is a collective
phenomenon, and having strong social connections is
associated with greater happiness. In other words, happiness
is contagious. Forging friendships within the community
allows us to fill our emotional cups and enjoy life more fully
as a result of our friendships and exposure to other happy
people. Recreation centers help foster those friendships.
"We're a gathering place," Began said.
People often come just to chitchat with one another.
That happens at all of the area recreation centers, because
they are centrally located and offer a friendly ambience with
comfortable seating. The facilities act as home bases and hot
spots for residents in the surrounding areas. If you don't
know your neighbors, there's a good chance you will meet
them at a recreation center, Began said. And because each
has a different theme, it can be fun to mix it up, tour the
facilities and see the diverse and creative décor and amenities.
Began notes that Eisenhower is both a military-themed
museum and recreation center, with unique amenities such
as tabletop shuffleboard games. During Park and Recreation
Month, residents are more eager to venture away from their
own "home base" centers to see what others have to offer.

Recreation Keeps
Us Active
Recreation brings a feast of fun. With more
than 2,000 activities happening within Villages
recreation centers, there's no chance you'll ever
get bored. Staying healthy is a matter of movement.
Harvard Health notes that whatever our age, we
have the power to change some of the variables that
influence our lifespan, and our activity level is a key
factor. With so many opportunities to join a class or
participate in a sport, staying active is easy. Lori Began,
recreation facilities manager at Eisenhower Recreation
Center, said she is amazed at the variety of things to do.
"There really is something for everyone in The
Villages," Began said.

MAGAZINE

9



Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Villages - July 2017

Contents
The Villages - July 2017 - Cover1
The Villages - July 2017 - Contents
The Villages - July 2017 - 1
The Villages - July 2017 - 2
The Villages - July 2017 - 3
The Villages - July 2017 - 4
The Villages - July 2017 - 5
The Villages - July 2017 - 6
The Villages - July 2017 - 7
The Villages - July 2017 - 8
The Villages - July 2017 - 9
The Villages - July 2017 - 10
The Villages - July 2017 - 11
The Villages - July 2017 - 12
The Villages - July 2017 - 13
The Villages - July 2017 - 14
The Villages - July 2017 - 15
The Villages - July 2017 - 16
The Villages - July 2017 - 17
The Villages - July 2017 - 18
The Villages - July 2017 - 19
The Villages - July 2017 - 20
The Villages - July 2017 - 21
The Villages - July 2017 - 22
The Villages - July 2017 - 23
The Villages - July 2017 - 24
The Villages - July 2017 - 25
The Villages - July 2017 - 26
The Villages - July 2017 - 27
The Villages - July 2017 - 28
The Villages - July 2017 - 29
The Villages - July 2017 - 30
The Villages - July 2017 - 31
The Villages - July 2017 - 32
The Villages - July 2017 - 33
The Villages - July 2017 - 34
The Villages - July 2017 - 35
The Villages - July 2017 - 36
The Villages - July 2017 - 37
The Villages - July 2017 - 38
The Villages - July 2017 - 39
The Villages - July 2017 - 40
The Villages - July 2017 - 41
The Villages - July 2017 - 42
The Villages - July 2017 - 43
The Villages - July 2017 - 44
The Villages - July 2017 - 45
The Villages - July 2017 - 46
The Villages - July 2017 - 47
The Villages - July 2017 - 48
The Villages - July 2017 - Cover3
The Villages - July 2017 - Cover4
https://www.nxtbook.com/thevillages/TheVillages/ContinuingTheDream_Vol6
https://www.nxtbook.com/thevillages/TheVillages/ContinuingTheDream_Vol5
https://www.nxtbook.com/thevillages/TheVillages/ContinuingTheDream_Vol4
https://www.nxtbook.com/thevillages/TheVillages/DreamALittleDream-RRO
https://www.nxtbook.com/thevillages/TheVillages/ContinuingTheDream_Vol3
https://www.nxtbook.com/thevillages/TheVillages/ContinuingTheDream_Vol2
https://www.nxtbook.com/thevillages/TheVillages/ContinuingTheDream
https://www.nxtbookmedia.com