Better for Your Longevity: A Kale or a Bestie?

In a personal, ongoing research project about friendship and the benefits of relationships, I recently uncovered some interesting findings.  Although we can all agree that diet and exercise contribute to our health and longevity, there is another factor that is more likely to get us to the age of 100 in good condition and that is the connection with others.

Whereas regular exercise decreases the risk of early death by 23-30% and a healthy diet lowers the same risk by 24%, having a strong social network decreases the risk of early death by 45%.  This explains why a physician may ask you about your relationships during your annual physical.  And the studies that give us these figures also indicate that friends rather than a romantic partner or even family provide us with the strongest health benefits.  Who knew?

Strong connections are key to a full, happy and healthy life. Connections do not include casual or toxic relationships, friends who act as emotional vampires dumping their negativity on us, or even social media.  These are not connections.  These are detractors.  My wish for us all is that we have relationships that are positive, supportive, and affirming, in our personal as well as our professional lives.  And that we all live out a full, connected life.