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What’s the Secret to Lasting Health and Happiness?

What’s the Secret to Lasting Health and Happiness

We’re all searching for ways to stay healthier,
be sharper, and feel happier in our lives. And in
today’s digital world, it’s becoming even
harder to find what’s most fulfilling in life.
Is it the size of your bank account? The number of
followers on your Instagram feed? The number of
awards on your shelf? None of the above, according
to science.

To find the answers, a decades-long Harvard study
has been following over 700 men throughout their
lifetimes. About 60 of the original volunteers are
still living and every few years, they have their
blood drawn, they get their brains scanned, and
they answer many personal questions.

The conclusions? The researchers say it all boils
down to one thing: love.

“The clearest message that we get from this
75-year study is this: Good relationships keep us
happier and healthier. Period,” said Robert
Waldinger, the director of the Harvard Study of
Adult Development, in a TED Talk.

It’s simple. People who have close relationships
with family and friends live longer, are
physically healthier, have better memories, and
feel happier.

Social Connections and Brain Health
Social connections play a major role in cognitive
function and mental health. Did you know that
family dysfunction can trigger depression? Or that
loneliness is considered a risk factor for
Alzheimer’s disease? Think about the fact that
the 1 in 10 Americans over the age of 50 who have
no significant other and no living children have
the highest rate of suicide and an increasing
incidence of drug addiction. Loneliness is a
killer.

The Social Media Scam
Although you may think the rise of social media is
helping us connect, it is actually getting in the
way of our relationships. Research on adolescents
shows an association between social media and
depression, anxiety, loneliness, inattention,
hyperactivity/impulsivity, oppositional defiant
disorder, sleep problems, a drop in self-esteem,
and the dreaded FOMO (fear of missing out).

Your Social Circle—One of the 4 Circles of Brain
Health
Your social connections are one component of the
“4 Circles” of health and illness:

Biological: how your physical body and brain
function (body)

Psychological: developmental issues and how you
think (mind)

Social: social support and your current life
situation (connections)

Spiritual: your connection to God, the planet,
past and future generations, and your deepest
sense of meaning and purpose (spirit)
This means that your social circle—along with
your biological, psychological, and spiritual
circles—can either boost your health and
happiness or drag it down. To have a healthy
brain, optimal cognitive function, and good mental
health, it’s important to optimize all 4
circles.

5 Steps to Strengthen Your Social Circle
To strengthen your social circle, try these 5 easy
ways to connect.

Think quality, not quantity.
When it comes to social connections, it’s the
quality that counts, not the numbers. Having a
wide circle of acquaintances isn’t as important
as having close companions.

Avoid unhealthy people.
We tend to pick up the habits and thoughts
patterns of those closest to us. Be very careful
in choosing your friends and significant other.

Limit social media.
Set limits on how much time you spend on social
media.

Spend time with those you love.
Relationships require time to grow. Make time to
foster your connections with friends and family,
whether it’s going to lunch, taking a hike, or
going to a museum or sporting event together.

Adopt positive relationship habits.
To improve your connections with others, be sure
to listen when they speak and notice what you like
about your friends and family more than what you
don’t like.

At Amen Clinics we use the 4 circles as part of a
balanced, comprehensive approach to assessment and
healing. If you have memory issues or mental
health problems and are looking for a path to
treatment that encompasses your whole being, call
833-233-4676 to speak to a specialist or schedule
a visit online.

2 Comments »
You forgot the EMOTIONAL component under
Psychological. Repressed FEELINGS are the core
acting out problem for all relational/social
problems

Social (Relationships w others)
Emotional (FEELINGS)
Mental (thoughts)
Physical/Biological (Body)
Spiritual (GOD)

Taking care of our spiritual, physical, mental and
emotional selves is the foundation for healthy
social relationships.

Thank you for your good work!

Comment by Katherine Adelaide — June 10, 2019 @
2:51 AM

My best advice, pray and ask the Lords help. Ask
him what Diet you should be on. The Bible is very
explicit regarding diet.

Comment by Denny — June 10, 2019 @ 1:01 PM

Will you use this info to help create happy, sexy love that lasts?

Hadley Finch

Claim a gift copy of my audiobook interviews of experts who help create HappySexyLoveInRomanticRelationships.com

About Hadley Finch

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