DeseretNeews:Research shows it’s relationships, not genetics that lengthen your life
“Strong social connections are linked to better physical and mental health, coping skills, sleep quality, and much more. Over the past few decades now, growing evidence shows people who are more socially connected live longer and people who are more isolated or lonely are at increased risk for early mortality. In fact, relationship satisfaction at age 50 better predicted physical health better than cholesterol levels. And those with good social support had less mental deterioration as they aged than those who lacked it. Good relationships don’t just protect our bodies; they protect our brains. And those good relationships don’t have to be smooth all the time. Some couples could bicker with each other day in and day out, but as long as they felt that they could really count on the other when the going got tough, those arguments do not take a toll on their memories. However, that doesn’t mean relationships are the only difference-maker. In the book “Aging Well,” Dr. George E. Vaillant listed factors that predicted healthy aging for the Harvard men: physical activity, not smoking or abusing alcohol, being able to cope maturely with life’s ups and down, healthy weight, and a stable marriage. The same was true for the inner-city men, with the addition of education. If you always assumed that how long your parents lived would provide a clue to your own longevity, you’re not alone. So it’s not surprising that a 2010 study by Ancestry.com and Calico Life Services in the journal Genetics that involved millions of people caused a genuine stir. It quantified the role of the genes one inherited on one’s lifespan at 7%, not the 20%-30% of previous estimates.
Key points
- The quality of close relationships is what matters. High-conflict marriage, for instance, is bad for health, while warm relationships are protective. The people who were most satisfied with their relationships at age 50 were the healthiest 30 years later.
- Good relationships protect brains, not just bodies. Having someone you can count on is protective in old age (and earlier, too). Challenges don’t take the same toll for those folks.
- Social connections are really good for people. Isolation, for those who want to be with people, hurts. Loneliness can be toxic — and 1 in 5 Americans say they are lonely.
- The chronic stress of being unhappy breaks the body down over time.”
Read the complete article here.
💬 What were your takeaways from this article?
#Health #Relationships #Longevity
@globalBraid3744
Wow, this was a fascinating read! I can totally see that, our relationships have so much to do with our overall health and wellbeing. I've known many elderly couples, who when one passed, the other perfectly healthy one passed within a few weeks as well. Relationships are definitely vital to our health.
@WarmLightXO
I have also read stories like this but I did not know these people personally! It is very fascinating. This is why we need to cherish people we love and show them our love and appreciation.
@globalBraid3744 Very interesting read!
@comfortableNight4463
Thank you for your time reading and replying to this post :)
@globalBraid3744 All of this research definitely makes sense! I completely understand how stress can take a toll on our body and how surrounding ourselves with our support system can help make us feel good. I do think there are other factors that influence how long we live, but this definitely is one of them! Thank you for sharing!
@fruityPond7887
I agree! There are so many factors that contribute to our well-being and longevity. This is only one piece of the puzzle :)