Health involves many aspects of life. So, it is not enough to exercise, pay attention to your diet and take supplements to live longer. Of course, these 3 elements are essential to good physical health. But it is also necessary to take care of your psychological and emotional health. Social relationships have their place in the list of things that keep you young.
As many studies have shown, neglecting your emotional well-being is as negative as not taking care of your physical health. So take charge of your emotional happiness by maintaining regular social relationships with those around you. That way, you'll feel younger for longer.
Having goals to live longer
All our lives we try to find meaning in our lives, to search for the goal that will make us want to get up every morning. However, did you know that having a purpose is actually an ally for longevity? That's what researchers at the University of Michigan noticed in a 2019 study.
Indeed, in research revolving around retirement and health, an analysis of data spanning 27 years of research revealed that people with a purpose in their lives lived longer than others.
This finding therefore supports the impact that a purpose in life has on the body's longevity mechanism. The more meaning you give to your life, the higher your chances of living a long and healthy life.
A life of service to others
A selfish life brings nothing. This is also true for longevity and helping others offers an interesting anti-aging benefit.
Whether you help people in need on your own or join an organization, these other-oriented actions will have an impact on your health. Being part of an altruistic group will give meaning to your daily life.
In addition, your sense of belonging to your community will be strengthened, providing you with psychological well-being and social connections. In exchange, you don't necessarily have to give money, but more often just time or skills.
The causes to support are as numerous and varied as possible and this will allow you to find what interests you the most. You can:
volunteering in a refugee center,
taking care of animals in a shelter,
keep lonely people company,
cleaning public spaces,
animate underprivileged children,
take care of hospitalized people,
etc…
Here are some examples of social and humanitarian activities to get involved in. This will give your days a purpose that will offer you a long and healthy life.
Giving to others to stimulate your brain
Have you ever felt that intense happiness, that inexplicable exhilaration when you give a gift to a loved one? Giving something without expecting anything in return stimulates your brain in such a way that it has positive effects on your body.
In fact, this seemingly innocuous gesture increases the production of serotonin and oxytocin, the hormones of happiness and love. Thus, your brain is stimulated and you also feel like the recipient of your good deed. The act of giving also acts on blood pressure and is beneficial to the cardiovascular system.
In addition, you also please the person receiving your action. Their production of happiness hormones will also be increased. So you create happiness by a simple act.
5 things to live long
In some parts of the world, elders live full and active lives well into old age than we do.The longevity of these people is no longer in question. These places, known as blue zones, currently number five:
the province of Nuoro in Sardinia,
the Greek island of Ikaria, in the north-eastern Aegean Sea,
the Japanese island of Okinawa,
the municipality of Loma Linda, California,
and the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica.
The secret of these inhabitants lies on 5 major factors:
They have a purpose in life.
They engage in regular physical activity.
They have strong social relationships (close family and social ties).
They have a healthy and complete diet.
They give without expecting anything in return.
There's nothing stopping you from doing the same now to add several years to your life.
The importance of social relationships on longevity
As explained above, it is important to surround yourself with people. Too much loneliness has negative impacts on health and yet nearly 20% of the population would be in this situation. What should you do to remedy this? Create a social network and do everything you can to keep it.
Keeping social contacts, not so easy!
If you are close to your family and meet up with a few friends on a regular basis then keep it up. Relationships need to be nurtured regularly to stay strong over time and carry you through your old age.
On the other hand, if you have difficulty socializing with new people, try to stay close to your family. If, when they are young, your children seek your closeness, it is normal that at some point they want to take flight. This change is not a reason to lose touch with them. Find new ways to strengthen your family ties : a weekly meal, family outings, sports or cultural activities... And this also applies to your friendships.
Even if the effort put in to maintain your social relationships is no less, there is no denying that it will benefit your health. Even one activity a week will offer you pleasure that will positively affect your health and therefore your longevity.
Developing new friendships
To live longer, family relationships are not necessarily enough. From then on, try to open yourself up to others through new experiences.
Don't be afraid to meet new people via your friends or through your activities. To expand your group of acquaintances, be open to proposals for outings. With time and patience, you will overcome loneliness and you will never again be alone to face the ups and downs of life.
As this quote says, "A shared sorrow grows lighter but a shared joy grows tenfold."
To conclude
Studies show that without family support or friends, some people may age more quickly. This may even increase the risk of dementia over time.
To slow down your aging, the solution lies in your social relationships and the meaning you give to life. This will change your life for the better.
Sources:
http://www.slate.fr/lien/32167/cerveau-vie-sociale-developpe
https://www.antiageintegral.com/forme/avoir-de-bonnes-relations-rallonge-la-vie
https://blog.colette.club/blog/comment-cohabitation-intergenerationnelle-longevite
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