Want To Live Longer? Start Making Friends!


Posted by Dr. Scott Wilson | 21-Nov-2014

With the holiday season fast approaching, many of us are gearing up for then annual round of visits with friends and family. Even though it can be exhausting and even frustrating at times, the fact is that having strong positive relationships with friends and family is very important for our health. In fact, studies have shown that having strong social connections helps us reduce stress, manage pain and even live longer.

POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS REDUCE STRESS:
We all know that stress can be very dangerous. Periods of extreme stress can lead to headaches, muscle pain, chest pain, depression and difficulty sleeping among other things. Chronic stress can be even more damaging. It can adversely affect our coronary arteries, digestive functions, insulin regulation, immune system and more. However, the feelings we get from strong personal relationships and positive interactions can help to combat these impacts through the production of oxytocin; a hormone that helps reduce stress. In fact, those with strong social relationships have been found to have lower blood pressure, better immune system functioning and decreased hospitalizations.

POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS HELP MANAGE PAIN:
Studies also show that people in love are actually able to deal with pain better than others. Feelings of love activates dopamine-rich areas of the brain that can actually make you feel happier. In one particular study, participants who were shown the photo of a loved one experienced increased activity in the reward-processing regions of the brain and decreased activity in the pain-processing regions.

POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS HELP YOU LIVE LONGER:
There are numerous studies pointing to the impact that positive relationships have on longevity. One study indicated that people with strong social connections are 50 per cent more likely to live longer than those with few such connections. Another study found that women in satisfying marriages and relationships had a lower risk of cardiovascular disease relative to those in less satisfying relationships. This is because those with strong relationships know that they have someone to count on if needed. This helps lighten their burden and improve their general outlook on life, which ultimately helps reduce levels of depression, anxiety and other psychological distresses.

Fitting social activities into our busy schedules can be difficult at times but there’s no denying the health benefits of building and nurturing strong relationships. With the holiday season just around the corner, now’s the perfect time to get out there and strengthen your most meaningful relationships.


Dr. Scott Wilson

Dr. Scott Wilson is the Founder & Chairman of Physiomed; one of Canada’s largest franchised networks of inter-disciplinary healthcare clinics. A graduate of Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College, Dr. Wilson founded Physiomed in 1994 and has since grown Physiomed to over 30 clinics in Southern Ontario and British Columbia. With hundreds of practitioners from over a dozen disciplines, Dr. Wilson and Physiomed have helped over 100,000 Canadians with physiotherapy, chiropractic, massage therapy, orthotic therapy, compression therapy and clinical conditioning as part of a program of rehabilitation and health optimization. In addition to helping patients improve their physical and mental well-being, Dr. Wilson has also mentored hundreds of practitioners to provide better care while enjoying more fulfilling careers. He is also a keynote speaker on many health related topics including how physiotherapy, chiropractic and health & wellness treatment can help with stress, weight loss, and unlocking the true potential within to achieve lasting physical well-being.

Top Blogs

Mar 15

Lower Back Pain: Movement, Imbalances & Physiot...

Lower back pain is a common health concern that affects…

Read More
Mar 01
weight-loss-body-composition

Weight Loss: Understanding Body Composition...

When it comes to weight loss, many people focus solely…

Read More
Feb 15
stress-management-physiotherapy

Stress Management: Can Physiotherapy Help?...

Stress has become an increasingly common and often overwhelming experience…

Read More
Feb 01
sciatica-symptoms-causes-treatments

Sciatica Pain: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment Option...

Sciatica pain is a common complaint that affects many people…

Read More
Jan 15
aging-back-pain-physiotherapy

Aging and Back Pain: How Physiotherapy Can Help...

One of the most common challenges we face as we…

Read More
Jan 01
nutrition-weight-loss

Nutrition for Weight Loss: How to Burn Fat and Build...

Every January, many of us resolve to improve our health…

Read More

Ready to Get Started?

Book Your
APPOINTMENT

Get Healthier... Stay Healthier!