New social experiment by Better Social Space encourages Thais to reconnect with the elderly and fight depression

Presented by AP

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There are an estimated 300 million people suffering from depression worldwide. In Thailand there are approximately  900,000 depressed people. In the elderly, the chances of having depression disorder are as high as three in four.

Isn’t it time to consider what we, as young people, can do about it? Better Social Space, a new campaign/social experiment by AP Thailand, thinks so. A lack of connection between generations could be one of the factors causing depression disorder in the elderly. Better Social Space aims to bridge that gap.

It’s amazing how relevant elders’ knowledge is for our 4.0 world. Take this epic exercise move from their project, created by people from different generations. Kick-ass ex-Muay Thai champion Pudpad Noy Worawoot “Kru Moo” and Panraphat Srikirin “Kru Punpun” have co-created MTX (Muay Thai Exploration) by combining traditional Muay Thai dance rituals with modern choreography.

What they did is more than just working out together, they turned the “space” between the elder and the youth into a space of happiness. Wondering how can you reconnect with the older people in your life? Gather ‘round young folks, here are some great ways to spend quality time with your beloved grandpa and grandma for the benefit of society.

Cooking

We all love sitting down to a home-cooked meal with great company, no matter what decade of pop music defines us. Imagine learning from someone with time-tested recipes from before you were born. Watch Nut from the Patam-Patan Facebook page and her grandma cook Thai traditional Grilled Mackerel with Shrimp Paste Sauce (Nam Prik Kapi Pla Too)) and learn some old tips made new. Not to be outdone by her loving granny, Nut uses her youthful creativity to turn the traditional dish into sushi rolls.

Vintage beauty tricks

Ladies, here’s another cool thing to do with your grandma or your mom. Thai beauty blogger Mintchyy, made a homemade face mask with her mom using a recipe handed down from her grandma.

Back in the day people used simple ingredients like cucumber, lime, and tamarind for soft skin. Here they used cucumber, honey, and Pises Powder (the beloved Thai healing powder). Watch the video and learn their generations-old skin secrets.

Exercising

We know exercise is good for us, but for those suffering from depressive disorder, exercise may be even more important. Working up some sweat releases chemicals in the brain that could alleviate depression. So let your elderly loved ones be your motivation and exercise together.

Watch this amazing video of Ban Damrong Channual who, at the ripe young age of 75 works out with Fasai Puengudom, a fitness trainer and blogger. As they exchange tips and tricks, the age gap between them fades away. What they achieve in the gym is not just a healthy life, but knowledge and emotional happiness.

Join the Campaign

The Better Social Space campaign aims to improve society with “space” as the main theme. Using the “space” we have on social media platforms to create a happy environment, the campaign provokes people to contribute to creating better social spaces in their own lives.

So, why not start now and reconnect with your elders? The benefits might be far beyond what you expect. Find more info about their projects here.



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