In the pursuit of health and longevity, people often focus on lifestyle habits such as eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep. However, an in-depth study at Harvard University, spanning 80 years, has revealed an unexpected conclusion: the most critical factor affecting human lifespan is not just physical health, but social relationships.
This discovery not only subverts conventional wisdom, but also provides us with a new perspective on the secrets of longevity.
Overview of the study
Dubbed "The Harvard Study of Adult Development" or "The Grant & Glueck Study," the study began in 1938 by Harvard psychologist Arnold Gesell to track and observe the life trajectories ·of two groups of people from different backgrounds, from adolescence to old age, covering aspects such as physical and mental health, career achievement, intimate relationships, and social influence. The study included 268 Harvard undergraduates (known as the "Harvard Team") and 456 teenagers from Boston's poorest areas (known as the "Boston Team").
For nearly a century, the research team has continued to document the details of these people's lives through health check-ups, mental health tests, interviews, surveys, and other means, and built up detailed personal profiles. As the research deepened, the researchers gradually discovered that although there were significant differences in economic conditions and genetic backgrounds between the two groups, their longevity and well-being were closely related to the quality of social relationships.
Conclusions of the study
The core conclusion of the study is that good social relations are the key to human longevity. Specifically, people who are close and have better relationships with their partners, relatives or friends, tend to also have a higher quality of life and better physical health. Not only does this relationship provide emotional support to help reduce feelings of loneliness and depression, but it also boosts immune function and reduces the risk of disease by promoting the release of beneficial chemicals such as oxytocin, endorphins, and more.
In contrast, those who have poor relationships with friends and relatives and are in low-quality social circles will also be in worse physical condition and have a worse psychological condition, and are prone to bad emotions such as loneliness and depression, which can further damage physical health.
Therefore, the study emphasizes that social relationships are not only a source of well-being, but also an important guarantee of health and longevity.
Recommend social activities
Based on this finding, we can recommend the following social activities to help prolong life and improve quality of life.
1. Play mahjong
As a popular entertainment activity for middle-aged and elderly people, mahjong not only tests the wisdom and strategy of participants, but also provides them with an excellent social platform. In the process of playing mahjong, people need to analyze the game, calculate the probability and make decisions, these activities can stimulate the brain to think and prevent cognitive decline such as Alzheimer's disease. At the same time, Mahjong's four-player battle mode promotes communication and interaction among participants, helping to alleviate loneliness, enhance social skills, and improve mental health. Therefore, moderate participation in mahjong activities has positive significance for promoting longevity.
2. Friends gatherings
Organize or attend a gathering of friends to share the moments of life and listen to each other's stories and worries. In a relaxed and happy atmosphere, it is easier for people to release stress and feel a sense of belonging and worth.
3. Community Events
Participate in various activities organized by the community, such as volunteering, interest groups, etc. These activities not only broaden their social circles, but also make people feel a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment in contributing to society.
4. Square dancing
Through the exercise of square dance, people can not only improve their cardiopulmonary function and enhance their physical fitness, but also release stress and enjoy their mood with the accompaniment of music. What's more, the collective nature of square dancing provides a social environment for participants to support each other and progress together. It's a place where people can meet new people, share the joy of life and feel the warmth and strength of the community. This positive social experience helps to promote an individual's well-being and sense of belonging, which in turn has a positive impact on longevity.