What creates and maintains health and well-being? Well, one hint is the old adage that money and fame don’t buy happiness. Research now shows that robust secure relationships with family, friends and community keeps us healthier. Loneliness is toxic. It contributes to declining health, cognitive function and shortened life expectancy. The Harvard Adult Development Study is composed of 268 Harvard graduates from the classes of 1939-1944 and 456 men who grew up in the inner-city neighborhoods of Boston. They were studied for 75 years to look for predictive factors of health and well-being. It was the quantity, not quality, of their relationships that mattered most. So call a friend, schedule a playdate at any age or go old school by putting down your phones and FaceTime in person; it’s good for your health.
Source:
