Humans have always associated health, longevity and well-being with a healthy lifestyle and exercise. However, this new study suggests that your social network may impact your health as much as your exercise routine.
In his new book ‘The Laws of Connection’, author and BBC journalist David Robson shares evidence of how people with rich social networks are far healthier than those who feel isolated. So much so that the World Health Organisation (WHO) has set up a new commission on social connection, calling it “a global health priority”.
When examining the science for this book, the author said he tried to understand the “biopsychosocial” model of health and found that friendships can affect everything from the strength of our immune systems to our chances of dying from heart disease.
“If we want to live long and healthy lives, we need to prioritize the people around us,” Robson concludes.
‘Alameda 7’ and 1 more
In the early 1960s, Lester Breslow began work on identifying the habits and behaviors that lead to longevity. Within a decade, Breslow’s team had identified seven elements that we now know to be essential to good health, known as the “Alameda 7”:
- Do not smoke
- drink in moderation
- sleep seven to eight hours a night
- Exercise
- Avoid snacks
- Maintain a moderate weight
- have breakfast
However, as research progressed, by 1979, two of Breslow’s colleagues – Lisa Berkman and S. Leonard Sime – discovered an eighth factor that affects people’s longevity: social relationships.
On average, people who had the largest number of ties were about half as likely to die as those who had smaller networks.
This result remained stable even after controlling for factors such as socio-economic status and people’s health at the start of the survey, as well as cigarette consumption, exercise and diet.
Therefore, it can be concluded that social support can boost your immune system and protect you from infections.
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Published: July 23, 2024, 08:46 PM IST
