Study Finds Social Relationships Better Brain Aging
Who are the SuperAgers? They are men and women over 80 years of age, whose
memories are as good – if not better – than people 20-30 years their juniors.
In a recent study conducted by researchers from Northwestern University, a
group of seniors was examined throughout 9 years.
Every couple of years, they
had to fill out surveys about their lives and undergo neuropsychological tests,
brain scans, and a neurological examination, among other evaluations.
Good Friends Make a Difference in Brain Aging
When compared to their “normal” peers, SuperAgers were found to have some
distinctive brain features: thicker cortices, larger anterior cingulate (a part
of the brain important to attention and working memory), and resistance to
age-related atrophy (degeneration of cells). But it was obvious to the
researchers there are other factors involved as well.
In order to find attributes SuperAgers have in common and characterize
them, 31 SuperAgers and 19 “normal” seniors were asked to fill out a
questionnaire regarding their psychological well-being. It became clear that
SuperAgers had another distinct common feature other than their brain
structure: they all cultivated warm, satisfying and trusting relationships.
How Do They Maintain Relationships?
When interviewed, the senior citizens who took part in the research spoke
of maintaining friendships that go as far back as high school or joining clubs
and groups that help them stay active and socialize. For example, a woman of
103 years living in Illinois reported that she makes frequent calls and visits
to her long-time friends, even those who now suffer from Alzheimer’s or those
that are no longer able to leave their house. She is also a prominent figure in
her retirement community – she’s on the team that welcomes new residents, and
she makes an effort to make everyone feel at home and included.
Another SuperAger in the study had helped in founding a men’s group, Men
Enjoying Leisure, which has grown and expanded to have several branches around
Chicago’s suburbs. Every month, the group meets for two hours to discuss
personal issues, such as health, family matters and more. This platform is very
important, especially for men who might be less inclined to talk about their
feelings and bottle things up. Knowing you are not alone in the problems you
face is a big benefit one gets from social relationships.
The Link Between Social Relationships and Cognition
One scientific explanation as to why positive relationships make humans
function better, is that they help calm our stress response system. Chronically
high levels of the stress hormone cortisol can have a devastating effect on
physical and emotional health – weight gain, slow healing injuries and more.
A different study of elderly residents in Hong Kong showed that those who
cultivate supportive relationships had a significant drop in cortisol levels
during the day. The human brain is more adaptive than some might think. The
older we get, what’s lost in quick-recall and short term memory is balanced by
the ability to reflect and hold multiple perspectives, according to experts.
This means that neurological changes in an aging brain may contribute to
emotional regulation and an increased ability to relate compassionately to
others.
Humans are a social animal. Friendships are important at any age for our
mental well-being, but it seems we also physically need one another in order to
age better.
7 Easy Habits that Boost Our Health
The body is an incredibly complex machine, attune to every little thing we
do, eat or experience. We may not be aware of it, but we impact our health in
myriad ways every day. Here are 7 things we may do, without even noticing, that
have surprising medical and mental benefits, making you want to repeat them a
whole lot more.
1. Singing
When we sing, our brain releases hormones and endorphins that contribute to
lowering our mental stress and anxiety, as well as reducing physiological pain.
Studies on the subject found that singing contributes to lowering our blood
pressure, increasing our cognitive abilities, strengthening the immune system
and improving our memory. Various studies even found that singing helps the
medical situation of Parkinson patients, improving their balance, their vocal
abilities and their ability to swallow.
2. Crying
Crying is seen as a weakness by most. Something negative that shouldn't
happen. But crying also has its unique advantages. When we cry, our body dumps
the cortisol hormone, which causes an increase in our mental stress. By crying,
we may be preventing issues such as insomnia, anxiety and weight gain. Crying
even helps strengthen our immune system. The tears we shed also have a purpose
and kill over 90% of the bacteria in the eyes and other toxins found on the
face. They also prevent our eyes from drying out.
3. Kissing
Kissing is a natural remedy for headaches or menstrual pain, thanks to the
dilating of blood vessels that occur during a kiss, which helps lower our blood
pressure. A study on the subject has shown that a large amount of saliva
secreted during a kiss helps the body fight gingivitis. When kissing we also
operate rarely-used muscles in our neck and face that help tone them and slow
down the aging process in these areas. So pucker up!
4. Creative writing
Believe it or not, creative writing is really good for you. It enhances
your cognitive abilities, your memory, and your mental strength. A new study on
the topic unveiled that creative writing, especially the kind that described
our deepest thoughts and emotions, gives us a relief from physical pain.
Researchers explained that the writing caused a reduction in hormone secretion,
especially for hormones like cortisol that elevate our blood pressure and
weaken our immune system.
5. Courtesy
Good manners aren't just good manners, they're healthy manners! When we are
kind to those around us we release a hormone in our body called oxytocin, which
makes chemicals that expand the blood vessels, thus reducing blood pressure and
improving the overall health of the heart and the blood vessels. The hormone
also fights free radicals in our blood system and so slows down the aging
process of our internal organs.
6. Laughter
We all know that laughter is the best medicine, and it's astounding how
many studies back that up. Laughter lowers our blood pressure, reduces our risk
of stroke, reduces our mental stress and takes care of our heart. Laughter is
also a great workout for our stomach muscles and even strengthens the white
blood cells that play such an important role in our immune system.
7. Spending time with friends and family
It may sound sappy, but loneliness has been found to be no less detrimental
to health than regularly smoking. Many studies have pointed to a strong
relationship between good relations with friends and family and sleeping well
better concentration and mental abilities and a stronger immune system.
According to one of the studies on the subject, strong ties to family and
friends can raise your chance of longevity by as much as 50%.