Recent research has found that partaking in this enjoyable activity, is as big a benefit to your health as quitting smoking is to those who smoke! Sounds like big benefits to us! It has a positive benefit on your immune system (even fewer colds and flu!!), it helps people deal with stress better. It has heart benefits and more.
Forget any need to feel guilty about spending time with friends and family you enjoy.
That's right.. research has found that staying "socially connected" as the researchers put it, is as big a benefit to your health as quitting smoking is to those who smoke!
In a review of more than 149 different studies, researchers found that people who were more socially connected had DOUBLE the survival odds of less socially connected people.
The data collected actually included information from more than 300,000 older adults. The researchers said the results prove that positive, supportive relationships are good for the heart, body and soul.
They said having good friends and family "in your corner" helps people live longer by helping them deal with stress and tough times better--assuming, of course, that the relationships with those a person is "socially connected with" are positive and not "toxic".
Also, being involved in relationships with others motivates people to take better care of themselves.
Other studies have found that stress also leads to weakened immune systems which can make a person more prone to coming down with the flu, or colds, or who-knows-what.
Surprisingly, studies have also found that people who maintain more positive attitudes, are less apt to get colds, etc., because their immune systems are stronger. Researchers believe because their more positive attitudes result in less stress in their lives. If you're not much involved with others, consider signing up as volunteer for something you'd enjoy helping with... at your church, or walking dogs at a dog rescue, rocking babies at some hospitals, helping at at a facility for seniors or whatever you think you'd enjoy. Just find a way to connect with others... family, friends, work colleagues, or whoever. It's enjoyable and it's healthy!