When facing all the issues related to a healthy aging and increased life expectancy The normal thing is to think directly about what habits can lead us to achieve it. We know that genetics matter, but its weight is less than previously thought, so in reality it is our actions that are really noticeable over the years.
However, There are some factors with no apparent relationship with lifestyle that could influence much more than expected. Without going any further, a new study published in the journal International Social Work which followed more than 7,000 middle-aged and older Canadians for approximately three years, revealed that married or married men During the study period they were twice as likely to age optimally compared to their never-married male peers.
“Little is known on the relationship between marital trajectories in old age and optimal aging. Our goal was to see if different marital trajectories were associated with physical health and well-being, and if these relationships varied between men and women,” explains Mabel Ho, a researcher at the University of Toronto.
In this sense, the institution’s experts defined the optimal aging such as the absence of serious physical, cognitive, mental or emotional conditions that prevent daily activities, as well as high levels of self-reported happiness, good physical health and mental health.
“Previous studies have shown that marriage is associated with better health outcomes in both men and women, while men who never married generally had the worst health outcomes,” says another researcher, David. Burnes, who is a professor at the University of Toronto. “It may be that married people Encourage each other to adopt or maintain positive health behaviorssuch as quitting smoking or exercising regularly.”
The importance of not isolating yourself socially
Additionally, older adults who were not socially isolated were more likely to maintain optimal health in old age. Those who maintained a regular contact with family, friends and neighbors were more likely to age optimally compared to older adults who were socially isolated.
“Being socially connected to others is important, especially in old age. Maintaining regular contact with family, friends and neighbors can help older adults feel connected, reduce their feelings of loneliness and improve their overall well-being,” says Eleanor Pullenayegum, senior scientist at the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) and professor at the University of Toronto.
The study also found that the lifestyle factorssuch as maintaining a healthy body weight, being physically active, not having insomnia, and not smoking, were important for maintaining optimal health in old age.
“It is very important to maintain a healthy lifestyle, no matter how old we are. For example, it is never too late to quit smoking. In our study, former smokers were much more likely to age optimally than those who continued to smoke,” explains lead author Esme Fuller-Thomson, director of the Institute for Life Course & Aging and professor at the Factor School of Social Work. -Inwentash from the University of Toronto.
Adidas Response Super
comfortable, light and resistant
“Our study highlights the importance of understanding the Sex-specific differences in agingso that we can better support older men and women to continue to thrive in middle age,” concludes Ho, highlighting the fact that the findings can help “particularly those who have never married or experienced widowhood, separation and divorce”.
So it may come as some surprise that the couple relationshipsregardless of their nature, and social connections have such a high impact on better aging, but the truth is that it is quite logical. Having unconditional support is a very precious asset and it may be time, as researchers say, to also think a little more about those who do not enjoy it and also deserve it.
Álvaro Piqueras is a sports expert and in the last five years he has specialized in fitness, nutrition and other health topics. Try to stay up to date with new research and trends in the fields you master to be able to rigorously share the training routine that can inspire a change in your habits, the properties of the foods that should be part of your diet or scientific findings that can improve the physical and mental well-being of people like you.
He began his career in local and regional media in the land of Don Quixote, specifically in Albacete. From there he made the leap to national media after an enriching stint at a wonderful independent advertising agency named after a Beatles song (GettingBetter), although he always kept his journalistic vocation intact.
Hence, he pursued his dream of working for one of the main publishing groups in the country such as Prisa, Vocento and now also Hearst. Perhaps you have read him in the digital version of Diario As, addressing countless topics, or in ABC and other newspapers and magazines of the group, preparing branded content reports for large brands, multinationals and institutions. And if you haven’t had the chance, now is the time to do it at Men’s Health and Runner’s World.
As it could not be otherwise, he confesses to being a lover of sports and from a very young age he has tried disciplines as diverse as athletics, football, basketball, tennis, cycling or swimming. Sometimes feeling the adrenaline of the competition, and other times simply enjoying the benefits of physical activity. Now he has taken up functional exercises and boxing because he is certain that the bag is incapable of hitting him back.
Graduated in Advertising and Public Relations from the University of Alicante, he also has specific training in social media management and direction, strategic planning and graphic design. Lately he has delved into the universe of generative artificial intelligence applied to journalism, but he swears and perjures that he does not use it professionally because, among other considerations, he continues to enjoy every word he writes after 20 years of experience in the communication sector.