Proven Ways to Extend Your Life & Here’s The Cure for Loneliness
Nov 28, 2024
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Biologist Andrew Steele, author of "Ageless," dives into the latest research on longevity, revealing actionable strategies to extend lifespan through lifestyle choices and emerging medical breakthroughs. Psychiatrist Dr. Edward Hallowell, author of "Connect," discusses the alarming impact of loneliness on health, emphasizing the essential role of social connections and touch. Together, they highlight the need for human interaction to combat feelings of isolation and the surprising health benefits of simply embracing physical touch.
The modern decline in physical touch has led to touch starvation, which negatively impacts emotional health and social bonding.
Understanding aging as a statistical process emphasizes the need for lifestyle choices and research to combat age-related diseases, enhancing longevity.
Addressing chronic loneliness is crucial for overall health, as fostering social connections can significantly improve mental well-being and reduce health risks.
Deep dives
The Impact of Touch on Well-being
Physical touch is crucial for human interaction, profoundly affecting emotional health. The decline in touch due to factors like COVID-19 has led to a condition known as touch starvation, reducing the comfort and joy that human connection typically provides. Engaging in pleasant forms of touch, such as hugging, triggers the release of oxytocin, a hormone that fosters social bonding and reduces anxiety. Thus, finding opportunities to reconnect through physical touch is essential for enhancing emotional well-being.
Exploring the Dynamics of Aging
Aging is understood not just as a biological process but statistically, as the risk of death doubles approximately every eight years. Research indicates that aging can be defined by how external mortality factors, like accidents, impact young adults versus age-related diseases in older adults. This perspective sheds light on the need for advancing medical science to address the biological mechanisms behind aging. By understanding the statistical nature of aging, individuals can better appreciate the relationship between lifestyle choices and longevity.
The Role of Diet and Oral Health in Longevity
Maintaining good oral health can significantly influence overall longevity and health risks, particularly with heart disease and even dementia. Chronic inflammation stemming from poor oral hygiene is linked to an increased risk of various age-related diseases, highlighting the interconnectedness of bodily systems. The importance of brushing teeth regularly is emphasized as a simple yet effective way to reduce health risks. By prioritizing oral health, individuals can positively impact their overall well-being and potentially extend their lifespan.
The Dangers of Loneliness
Loneliness is a pressing health issue, identified as one of the leading medical problems in the United States, surpassing conditions like cancer and heart disease. Social isolation can have devastating effects on well-being, akin to smoking, as it exacerbates health risks and can lead to early death. Efforts to combat loneliness involve fostering social connections, no matter how small, as these interactions can greatly enhance mental health. Therefore, addressing loneliness, especially during social events like holidays, is vital for maintaining a healthy community.
Proactive Strategies for Longevity
Engaging in regular exercise and maintaining a balanced diet are traditionally regarded as fundamental to extending life expectancy, but recent findings suggest further measures may be necessary. New treatments aimed at targeting aging processes directly, such as senolytic drugs that eliminate aged cells, may lead to healthier and longer lives. Understanding the biological underpinnings of aging allows us to adopt lifestyle habits that not only prolong life but also enhance health in old age. As advancements in medical science progress, being proactive about health can open opportunities for living well into later years.
People need physical touch and too many of us are not getting enough of it. The result is something called “touch starvation.” This episode begins by explaining what happens when people are deprived of skin-to-skin contact, why it is so prevalent and what we need to do about it. https://www.webmd.com/balance/touch-starvation
Have you ever wondered how long you will live? Other than “living sensibly,” are there really things you can do that will prolong your lifespan significantly? Biologist and science writer Andrew Steele has been on a journey to uncover the very latest science on human longevity and the techniques that can help anyone live longer. Andrew is author of the book Ageless: The New Science of Getting Older Without Getting Old (https://amzn.to/3pAtIxx) Listen as he explains what you can do now and research currently underway that may result in treatments in our lifetime so we can all live even longer.
Loneliness is a horrible feeling – especially around the holidays. Yet so many people report being more isolated and lonelier than ever before. Chronic loneliness is not only unpleasant, it is also bad for your health. Here with some good news about loneliness and ways to banish it from your life is psychiatrist Dr. Edward Hallowell. He is a leading expert on the topic of loneliness and has an important message everyone needs to hear. Dr. Hallowell is author of the book Connect (https://amzn.to/3GxgwQw). If you have ever felt the pain of loneliness, you will want to hear what he has to say.
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