Relationships Play and Essential Role in Well-being

Time spent alone steadily increases throughout your life.
Numerous studies confirm that loneliness affects your physical health and emotional welfare.
Former Surgeon General of the United States, Dr. Vivek Murthy, aptly highlighted the severity of the issue by drawing a comparison between loneliness and smoking, stating that loneliness and weak social connections can reduce lifespan similarly to smoking 15 cigarettes a day.
Who we spend our time with changes a lot over the course of life.
The graph indicates that around the age of 40 marks a peak in social engagement, while time spent with family unfortunately declines steeply after the age of 20. From the age of 20 to 60, a substantial amount of time is devoted to interactions with colleagues. However, after retirement, this facet of human interaction diminishes significantly, contributing to the upward trajectory of being “alone.”
The Harvard Study of Adult Development has compellingly established a direct correlation between the quality of social relationships in people’s 50s and the health and mental capacity experienced in their 80s. Robert Waldinger, the study’s director, emphasized the pivotal role of relationships on health, stating, “The surprising finding is that our relationships and how happy we are in our relationships have a powerful influence on our health.”
Esteban Ortiz-Ospina noted, “It makes sense to consider the possibility that healthy social relationships are a key missing piece for human well-being.”
It is essential to differentiate between being alone and loneliness. The emphasis isn’t merely on the quantity of time spent, but rather the quality of those interactions, which significantly diminishes feelings of loneliness.
Mindfully investing in quality relationships yields a compounding effect that positively impacts both physical and mental health. Cultivating healthy social relationships is crucial for a fulfilling retirement.
The above article was written and adapted by Marius Kilian.
Sources
*”Who do we spend time with across our lifetime?” – Our World in Data, 11 Dec 2020