Fulfilling Relationships = Life

I really do like studies. Even the ones where we think there are obvious conclusions, as if we didn’t need any documentation.

“Everybody knows that!”

But us humans do like to research. To authenticate, substantiate, certify, justify, confirm, establish, corroborate, prove, support, validate. Whatever word you want to use.

We like confirmation and quantification.

So, while I’m not overly surprised, I do find it intriguing that the research bears out that modern medicine has very little to do with our overall health – only about ten to twenty percent at best. A full eighty percent or more is determined by our relationships. At least that is what a seventy-five-year study conducted by the Harvard Medical School concluded.

A couple of interesting points from the study:

Loneliness is as significant of a negative health factor as smoking 15 cigarettes a day, drinking heavily, high blood pressure, and obesity.

For every life saved by biomedicine, education saves eight.

There is evidence that having a life purpose and feeling optimistic prolong the life of our cells and, thus, us.

Spending time in Nature boosts the immune system.

The concept of fairness is a major predictor of health. Tiny life events that are “unfair” create “microaggressions,” which result in death by a thousand cuts.

Creating positive “micro-experiences” that are emotionally uplifting for self and others (positive alacrity) helps foster fulfillment in relationships and extends life.

A single, positive interaction with others can have a multiplicative effect.

It seems the overall conclusion is that “the goal of a fulfilling life is to have fulfilling relationships.”

“KISS”

Keeping it short and simple today 😊

In Metta

Photo: From the Kuchel Area Redwoods along the coast of Northern California. The oldest living Redwood Trees have been on the Earth for some 2000 to 2200 years! Research is demonstrating that trees do have fulfilling relationships with each other. Interesting stuff 🙂

If you would like further reading see:

Study Shows that Relationships Have the Biggest Effect on Health

Want a Happier, More Fulfilling Life? 75-Year Harvard Study Says Focus on This 1 Thing

Study of Adult Development

Are Telomeres the Key to Aging and Cancer