The Tamesis
It’s no secret that hanging out with toxic people can drain you, while healthy relationships contribute to longevity. After all, there’s nothing better than the warm and fuzzy feelings that come with a cozy gathering with friends, a leisurely chat over dinner, or an impromptu phone call from a loved one.
It turns out that the happiness that comes from social connection is not only emotional, but also cellular. Research shows that strong relationships can actually protect against chronic low-grade inflammation, which suppresses immune responses, stresses the skin, impairs digestion, and makes us more susceptible to illness and fatigue.
“Social connectedness affects telomeres, highlighting how interconnected people are,” Dr. Alyssa Epel and Dr. Elizabeth Blackburn write in their book telomere effectexplores how ongoing psychological stress shortens telomeres (the protective DNA protein caps at the ends of chromosomes).
A study examining relationships and inflammation across the lifespan confirms this fact. “Those who have supportive intimate relationships have lower morbidity and mortality than those who do not. Inflammation is one mechanism that may help explain this association. Long-term high levels of inflammation predict disease. Across the lifespan, people who have supportive intimate relationships have lower levels of systemic inflammation than people who have cold, unsupportive, conflict-filled relationships. Not only are current relationships associated with inflammation, but past relationships are also associated with inflammation.”
Social connections improve health
Here’s how it works: Social interactions release oxytocin, dopamine, and endorphins, neurotransmitters that reduce cortisol, improve prefrontal connectivity, and benefit emotional resilience and neuronal plasticity. “On an immune level, warm and stable relationships can reduce the low-grade inflammation and immune system responses associated with isolation,” says Lourdes Ramón, a longevity expert at the Palasiet Health Clinic in Spain. “In short, social connections are a powerful anti-stress factor that protects our telomeres: it modulates inflammation, regulates hormones and maintains mental health, which is why it has been found to be an important bionutrient.”
Stress can cause premature aging—not just externally, but internally as well. Quality social relationships, on the other hand, can be a great buffer against chronic stress, and they can be as simple as small, meaningful interactions. “They help create a sense of belonging and community that promotes the development of life goals, or Ibe. Being aligned with our goals and feeling valued in our community can impact how long we live in significant ways,” notes Ramon. “Life goals are the overarching framework that frames our goals and guides our actions; an important aspect of our lives that has profound effects on physical and mental health. People with clear goals in life are better able to cope with stress, have better overall health parameters, experience less cognitive decline, and live longer. “
Strong relationships support good habits
Quality relationships can also promote healthier habits. “Healthy social relationships modulate the amygdala, enhance a sense of purpose, belonging, and important coherence, and promote healthy behaviors in a natural way,” Ramon explains.
