When you thank your friends and family this holiday season, the reasons to do so may extend beyond good wishes, and actually benefit you and your health. Study after study has shown that social connections – through family, friends or with companion animals – seem to pay off in terms of good health, longevity and even prolonged survival among patients with very serious diseases. Some evidence linking good health from strong ties to family and friends includes:
- The immune system’s natural killer cell activity is negatively affected by three “distress indicators” – one of which is lack of social support.
- One study of 75 medical students found that those who were lonely had more sluggish natural killer cells, the ones that help destroy cells infected with viruses and cancer cells, than students who were social.
- Research has shown that people who care for companion animals have less illness than people who do not. Companion animals’ owners also recover from serious illness faster.
- Susceptibility to heart attacks appears to correlate with how often people use the words “I,” “me” and “mine” in casual speech.
- Believe it or not, studies show that people who get out and spend more time with others during cold and flu season actually get fewer episodes of colds or flu than those who choose to be alone.
- Being grateful – and expressing that gratitude – for what you have is associated with both physical and emotional health. It has also been linked to an increase in resilience. If you only take 10 seconds a day to think about what went well, then perhaps add in a thought for what you’re excited about for tomorrow and YOU’RE DONE!
Obviously, this year will be different as the global pandemic continues to present challenges. Social connection must be a top priority. Be certain to work with your loved ones to create an environment that allows for some social distancing and outside gathering time if the weather allows.