Relationships. Having just been married a few short weeks ago, the topic seems like the most appropriate one to address at this particular moment! Now, you might think I say this because I have just entered into the most recognized and traditional relationship known to mankind and, well, yes that is true. But I also have some ulterior motives here.

As I have been preparing for an upcoming series of seminars, I have been pulling together information on the topic of healthy aging. In doing so, I have come across a multitude of data that supports the theory that intimacy/human contact is critical to good health. In fact, according to Dr. Henry Lodge in his book Younger Next Year – Turn Back Your Biological Clock, social connections are a more powerful factor in health and mortality than smoking, alcohol, exercise, nutrition, or age. He goes on to say that decades of research have shown that low levels of social connection can lead to depression, and depression in turn can lead to heart attacks and cancer, among other things.

Get this – according to Dr. Lodge, having either a good marriage, or just one close friend, cuts mortality by a third and the benefit increases the more your circle broadens. In one study, older patients, both women and men, were three times more likely to survive heart attacks if they were socially connected and supported. Additionally, older people who have at least one close friend have cardiovascular systems that are younger by a series of objective measures than those of isolated people.

So, the physical manifestations of social connections (marriage and otherwise) are becoming quite clear! The message is clear as well. As we get older, we need to remember to stay socially connected. And that could become challenging as we change jobs, change locations, and inevitably lose some of our current family and friends. It is imperative that – for the rest of our lives – we continue to build and nurture relationships, and for some of us, we may need to get started. A good start may be to read the book I referenced above as it contains several ideas to move forward.

Stay connected, folks … it may save your life!

Carolyn Lukert (formerly Shaffer)
www.transformingtransitions.com

PS … Yes, I do have a relevant song for the topic, which you will likely recognize!

With A Little Help From My Friends