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You hear a lot about our ageing population these days, and the reality is, you, me, in fact all of us are ageing.
And while technology and social media is connecting us more than ever (at least on line), the latest research pinpoints that one of the most important contributing factors to ageing well, is having trusted and nurturing relationship… not more connections on social media – more ‘real’ relationships.
A recent article by Karen Evans in The Greater Good Magazine, she reviews a new book by Louis Cozolino, professor of psychology at Pepperdine University, titled ‘Timeless: Nature’s Formula for Health and Longevity’.
In the book, Cozolino writes, “Of all the experiences we need to survive and thrive, it is the experience of relating to others that is the most meaningful and important.”
Hi research highlights that our brains are social organs, and that means that we are wired to connect with each other and to interact in groups. What this means is when we earn, build, maintain and actively involve ourselves in trusted relationships (real human to human contact) it is good for the brain at every stage, particularly for the aging brain.
Cozolino explains that social relationships help calm our stress-response system. While chronically high levels of the stress hormone cortisol wreak havoc on our physical and emotional health, experiencing safe and supportive social relationships has the opposite effect, keeping our stress-response system in check.
Research also shows how we as humans get used to things in our lives very quickly. I refer to this as the I.U.T.I. Syndrome, which stands for I’m Used To It. We get used to a new car very quickly. We get used to a lovely view very quickly. The danger is we can also get used to the trusted relationships we have in our professional and personal lives… and when we get used to things, we start to take them for granted and devalue their worth.
Take a moment today to be grateful for the trusted relationships you have in your professional and personal life, because it’s so easy to take them for granted and yet, they’re helping you age well.
This is a really well written and informative article by Karen Evans and you can read the complete article here
