1. Social Connections: Research indicates that maintaining strong social bonds is crucial for cognitive health in older adults, often proving more beneficial than solitary brain exercises.
2. Health Risks: Meta-analyses have shown that loneliness and social isolation can carry health risks comparable to those of obesity and smoking, significantly increasing the likelihood of developing mental and physical health issues.
For example, a meta-analysis published in the Perspectives on Psychological Science journal found that individuals with stronger social relationships had a 50% increased likelihood of survival compared to those with weaker connections.
Additionally, another meta-analysis in the American Journal of Public Health revealed that socially isolated individuals had a 29% higher risk of incident #coronaryheartdisease and a 32% higher risk of #stroke.
3. Active Engagement: Studies suggest that actively seeking and nurturing social connections is essential for promoting overall well-being as individuals age aka #longevity
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