According to studies: Which important habit could help us age more slowly

Our health is a complex interplay of countless factors. What we eat plays a role, as does whether we exercise sufficiently. Our genes, but also our relationships, influence how we feel—both physically and mentally. The latter factor, our interpersonal connections, is especially important for our well-being than we often realize.

"Eating and sleeping disorders, anxiety disorders, and certainly depression—all of these can result from a lack of connection," psychiatrist Dr. Jean Baker Miller explains to "Oprah Daily." After more than a decade of research on the topic, she concludes that not having at least one good friendship can contribute to psychological illness.

Longevity: Those who have deep bonds live longer

And according to the so-called "Nurses' Health Study," a lack of social contacts can also contribute to us aging faster and more unhealthily. The study has been conducted continuously by British nurses since 1976 and examines a wide range of health topics, from balanced nutrition to cancer. The study concludes that among the oldest women, those without close friendships exhibit similar negative physical developments as those who smoke heavily or are extremely overweight.

A study by the elite US university Harvard University demonstrated a similar effect: According to the study, people who have strong personal relationships live longer and healthier lives than those who lack these connections. According to the research, people with strong relationships are also less likely to suffer from dementia and are mentally fitter.

Cheers to friendship!

Strong relationships that are good for us don't require a huge family or an eclectic circle of friends with whom we pursue exotic (and possibly expensive) hobbies. Rather, a valuable, deep friendship in which we can share what moves and concerns us, in which we can talk about our problems as well as the joys of our lives, is sufficient.

And of course, there are phases in life when such friendships are less important, or at least we can devote less time to them in our busy daily lives. But it's important that we don't lose sight of them completely, because not only would our lives be drabber and grayer without people close to us—we also need them to age healthily.

mbl Brigitte

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