Meaningful Relationships Blog – My Final Post
Every year, people set out new goals for themselves. New Years Resolutions.
A lot of the time they are based around our physical being looking to get healthier.
Lose weight
Build Muscle
Go running more
Improve flexibility and so on and so forth.
Often it is with the goal of looking better, others feeling better and healthier or to even live longer.
These are the factors we should take into consideration right to live a long and happy life – eating right and exercising!
But what if I told you, none of this could matter in the long run. That there is something above all else that is the biggest determinant of a living longer.
The Studies!
Studies in California have shown that you can eat a fantastic diet, exercise regularly and take care of yourself but if you are in isolation, not part of a meaningful community or don’t have meaningful relationships, you won’t live as long as someone who has a crappy diet and doesn’t exercise all that often.
Social connections like these not only give us pleasure, they also influence our long-term health in ways every bit as powerful as adequate sleep, a good diet, and not smoking. Dozens of studies have shown that people who have satisfying relationships with family, friends, and their community are happier, have fewer health problems, and live longer.
One study, which examined data from more than 309,000 people, found that lack of strong relationships increased the risk of premature death from all causes by 50% — an effect on mortality risk roughly comparable to smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day, and greater than obesity and physical inactivity.
Thats right.
If you took two people,
Someone who has a pretty crappy diet, or very average one, who doesn’t exercise that often but engages within a community regularly, has meaningful relationships – family and friends has a better chance at living longer than one who eats really well, goes to the gym, is active, does his 10,000 steps a day but doesn’t have the community or relationships.
The true way to live a long and happy life is to have meaningful relationships and feel part of a community.
How Does It Work?
Scientists are investigating the biological and behavioral factors that account for the health benefits of connecting with others. For example, they’ve found that it helps relieve harmful levels of stress, which can adversely affect coronary arteries, gut function, insulin regulation, and the immune system. Another line of research suggests that caring behaviors trigger the release of stress-reducing hormones.
Research has also identified a range of activities that qualify as social support, from offers of help or advice to expressions of affection. In addition, evidence suggests that the life-enhancing effects of social support extend to giver as well as to receiver.
All of this is encouraging news because caring involvement with others may be one of the easiest health strategies to access. It’s inexpensive, it requires no special equipment or regimen, and we can engage in it in many ways.
That is why it can be said, even though I disagree with a lot of the science and practice of high intensity group training movements like Crossfit, F45 and things like this, one thing that is true of these movements is the number one benefit they have is the community benefit and the relationships they build!
Thats why our Breakthrough Classes are such a good idea. Yes the exercise is good for you, but creating that sense of community and the people you meet and relationships you can build is even more important!
See You Later!
As many of you may know this is my last blog for TeamBreakthrough as I am moving on to pastures new.
It has been a pleasure writing these blogs for you each and every week, hopefully providing you with information you can use and implement all the time and that is interesting and worthwhile to improve your performance in and out of the gym!
But most importantly I hope I was able to build meaningful relationships as now we know… that is the key to a long life!
JC