Friends are the key to a long and healthy life
Sophie Scott is the national medical reporter for the ABC, in addition to being a prominent public speaker. Sophie has won numerous awards for excellence in journalism and is the author of two books, Live a Longer Life and Roadtesting Happiness.
Part of being connected is having strong social and family networks. In fact, some social scientists believe that good friends rather than family connections will help you to live longer in old age. Researchers from Flinders University used data from the Australian Longitudinal Study of Ageing. They looked at how economic, social, behavioural and environmental factors, influenced health and well being of 1,500 people aged over 70. The group was followed for ten years. Taking into account a range of demographic, health and lifestyle factors, they found having strong friendships resulted in a 22 per cent reduction in the risk of dying.
This was one of the first studies to distinguish between social connectedness with friends, compared with that of family. Surprisingly, they found family connections did not improve death rates. Having good strong social networks was a “powerful factor” in protecting against premature death. The protective effect of good friends existed and endured even through widowhood, deaths of friends, siblings, children or other friends moving away. Researchers say friendships provide social support and engagement, and could even protect and boost health, by influencing behaviours such as smoking, alcohol consumption and exercise. “Friends can have effects on depression, self efficacy, self esteem, coping and morale and a sense of personal control,” author Lynne Giles from Flinders University says.
But why do friendships matter for survival? Carlos Mendes de Leon, from the Rush Institute for Aging in the United States, says the idea that being socially connected influences health is well established. Many scientific studies have shown that being connected confers many health benefits. But the reasons why friends might matter for longevity remains a mystery. ”As appealing the idea that social relationships and friendships in particular, are good for our health, as elusive remains our understanding of why or how this is so,” Dr Leon says.
Maybe it’s because we can choose our friends, instead of our families that gives us a sense of control. “One could argue that friendship often is an end onto itself, valued for it’s own sake, offering intrinsic rewards that fulfil basic psychological needs of competence, autonomy and relatedness,” Dr Leon writes. In other words, friends enrich and help you live longer because they are a recognition and reflection of ourselves and our own worth and value. Like family, friends are to be cherished and not to be taken for granted. The evidence is strong that cultivating a support network of friends as well as a loving family will help you live longer. It’s clear that friendship and feeling connected, loved, trusted and valued, is an important step in the quest for a longer and happier life.
One interesting study looked at what happened to people’s lifestyle as they moved through their 50s, 60s and 70s. The research found that quality of life was above average for people in their 50s and older. “Although many worry that old age and retirement could be a time of hardship, this study shows that for many quality of life improves as they get older. In particular, social engagement such as volunteering, can significantly impact on quality of life even in very old age,” Dr Gopal Netuveli, lead author, says. Factors such as strong relationships with family and friends, and living in a safe area boosted quality of life.
Researchers found that illness could reduce quality of life scores. But by far the biggest impact on reducing quality of life was depression. “Women had a higher quality of life, though it was reduced through looking after the home and family and more frequent contact with children and family,” researchers found.
Interestingly, working as a volunteer has been shown in many studies, including the Imperial College research to greatly increase quality of life. It was one of the few significant factors in the oldest age group. What is clear, the authors wrote, is that quality of life is not simply a reflection of personal circumstances. “While income and functional capacity are crucial in determining quality of life, good neighbourhoods, valued interaction with friends and family members, as well as the existence of close confiding relationships can make a difference to a person’s life,” the authors wrote.
Keeping your mental health in good shape is crucial to living longer. Being happy, keeping stress under control and living a positive, connected life will lead to enhanced physical health and all the benefits that entails. Martin Seligman believes of the three paths to happiness: pleasure, engagement (feeling connected to work, family and hobbies) and meaning (focusing on larger goals), the last two are the most important. Don’t be afraid to seek help if you are suffering depression or stress is getting too much. A supportive therapist can help you develop ways to manage your emotional issues. Medications can help to alleviate more serious forms of depression. Using the tools and ideas in this chapter will help you become happier and to feel more connected. Science is learning more about how what happens in the mind, affects the body. So emotional well-being will put you on the path to a longer, happy life.
This is an extract from Sophie Scott’s “Live a Longer Life”. Click here to buy a copy.
Follow Sophie Scott’s popular blog on health and happiness here.
Related links:
The best way to apologise, according to science
Always being right is ruining your relationship
6 marriage secrets relationship experts want you to know