Preventing Redeye In Animals

Loneliness hurts a pack of cigarettes

friends lengthen the life

establish a network of social relations

50% increase in the probability of survival

LONDON - It is harmful as alcohol and smoking and obesity is twice as dangerous: the lack of social relations is bad for your health and shortens life. Many in the past have studied the effects of loneliness on the psyche, and now a group of researchers at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, has also evaluated how the absence of relationships with others can affect physical health. And it came to the conclusion that social relations, whether with friends, family, neighbors or co-workers, increase the chances of survival by 50 percent. "The idea that the loss of social relations is a risk factor for mortality - says Julianne Holt-Lunstad, who coordinated the research just published in PLoS Medicine - is not well recognized by the public and even by health workers."

STUDIES IN TIME - American researchers have analyzed 148 studies from which they could obtain mortality data on a number of people followed over time (on average seven and a half years), and information on their social relations. So they also could compare the impact of social isolation on mortality compared with other risk factors well-known. They found that not only is it twice as dangerous obesity, but is equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes per day or to abuse alcohol and is more harmful than lack of exercise. There are many ways in which friends or family can positively influence health: calming effect a real physical contact until the discovery of some new meaning to give to their existence.

Too much stress - "When a person has relations with others - adds Holt-Lunstad - feels somehow responsible for them and are encouraged to take care of themselves and avoid situations risk to their health. " The protective effect of the reports is true not only for adults or the elderly, but in any period of life. It is worth reflecting on this research, although it does nothing but confirm things of sense, especially in an age like ours, where technology, work pressure and the stresses of everyday life do not leave more time to spend with family and friends.

Adriana Bazzi

[source: corriere.it]