How relationships affect our physical and mental health and success in our professional life.

Harvard studies (references below) have proven that quality relationships such as friendships, marriage, family, co-workers etc moreover interactions that offer support in the form of help or advice, and expressing affection, are good for both your mental and physical health and in fact increase your longevity! As well as affect your overall success in life.

Scientists @harvardmed including  @robert.Waldinger found that these social connections help you in the relief of stress (as you release stress reducing hormones), gut function (which affects mood, sleep and many other), insulin regulation, and the immune system. In addition, studies found that these positive health benefits  of relational support extend to giver as well as to receiver.

According to Waldinger you should make sure your relationships are healthy because your willingness to commit to a person or people is not enough to reap the benefits. In addition to positively affecting your physical and emotional health, good relationships have the power to sharpen your memory.

It’s not about being perfect Waldinger said:

“As long as they felt that they could really count on the other when the going got tough, those arguments didn’t take a toll on their memories,” “Relationships are messy and they’re complicated and the hard work of tending to family and friends, it’s not sexy or glamorous,” he said. “It’s also lifelong. It never ends.”

If you want to be happier and have stronger, positive relationships, Waldinger recommended “replacing screen time with people time,” “livening up a stale relationship by doing something new together,” such as long walks or date nights, or “reaching out to that family member who you haven’t spoken to in years.”

Bottom line investing your time in nurturing quality relationships just as you would with your fitness practice or work can be at the heart of your success and it being long lasting :) 

Reference: The Harvard study of adult development