What is the strongest predictor of who will live a long and healthy life?
Is it exercise? Is it eating a plant-based diet? Is it lowering cholesterol or stopping smoking? Is it maintaining ideal weight? Is it getting enough sleep? As important as these activities are, none of these are the most powerful predictor of health and longevity.
In 2001, Drs. Syme and Berkman reported on a study of people from Alameda County, CA. They followed more than 7,000 people for 40 years, noting who lived the longest and who had the best health. They noted:
- People classified as lonely and isolated had three times higher mortality from all causes.
- People with many social contacts had the lowest mortality.
- The amount of social support was the best predictor of good health.
The authors said in their summary: “Social connection helps prevent premature death. It is a more powerful predictor of health and longevity than age, gender, race, social economic status, self-reported physical status and health practices such as; smoking, alcoholic beverage consumption, overeating, physical activity and utilization of health services as well as a cumulative index of health practices.”
To be sure, the other health practices were important. A study of the three “blue zones” in the world (where people routinely lived to be more than 100) identified these common characteristics: physically active, socially connected, non-smokers, healthy diet, adequate rest, and have a purpose in life. But the most powerful predictor is social connectedness.
In his book Love and Survival: The Scientific Basis for the Healing Power of Intimacy, Dr. Dean Ornish says: “I’m not aware of any other factor in medicine – not diet, not smoking, not exercise, not stress, not genetics, not drugs, not surgery – that has a greater impact on our quality of life, incidence of illness, and premature death from all causes” than interpersonal relationships.
According to Syme and Berkman’s studies, the effect of interpersonal relationships on health was frequently experienced from weekly church attendance, actively seeking a meaningful relationship with God and with people. Both men and women showed improvement in becoming physically active, quitting smoking, being less depressed, increasing the number of personal relationships, and initiating and sustaining stable marriages.
Seek out the most potent activity for a long, healthy life. Establish meaningful relationships with others – not on electronic media, but in real face-to-face interactions. See you in church next week.