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Hugging, laughter and community increase your lifespan more than eating well, therapist says
When making decisions about how to live to maximize our lifespan, it’s more about what we put into our minds than into our bodies, says one licensed therapist. Food only goes so far.
Making sure your body has what it needs to defend itself against pathogens, grow new cells, and maintain its organs is important �although, be aware that you can certainly overdo it with vitamin supplements. But we cant overstate the importance of the stuff you put into your mind, says Laura Rhodes-Levin. Longevity diets tend to focus on food, or avoiding consuming too much plastic. (Correct: any plastic is too much plastic.) Heres one that tries a different tack.
Peace of mind goes a long way
“It’s more about what we put into our minds than into our bodies, says Laura Rhodes-Levin. Shes a licensed therapist specializing in the evaluation and treatment of anxiety, depression, and trauma.
High-stress levels are the most consistent contributors to shorter life spans.
She adds that peace of mind goes a long way towards making your years on this beautiful planet reach higher numbers. In other words, managing anxiety and responding intelligently to trauma makes your life happier and longer.
Some of the most common attributes in places that find people living to older ages are community, laughter, and warm physical contact like hugging.
Community, laughter, hugging.
By places that find people living to older ages, Laura is referring to Blue Zones. These are areas of the world where people have a longer life expectancy and lower rates of chronic disease. Diet plays a role, but Laura contends that contentedness is a major factor too.
Stress shortens lifespans via several processes
First, stress dumps cortisol and adrenaline into your nervous system, Laura says. This causes your heart rate to spike, along with your blood pressure.
It also prevents you from sleeping well and can lead to digestive issues.
These changes drain our bodies of feel-good neurotransmitters, Laura adds, such as dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin (aka the cuddle hormone ), and GABA (Gamma-aminobutyric acid a calming receptor).
Theyre also contributing factors for heart problems, stroke, and substance abuse.
Boost your lifespan by working with your neurotransmitters
You can counter these by increasing the levels of so-called feel-good neurotransmitters. Do this by actively creating a sense of ease and good health. How? With such remedies as human contact, community support, laughter, and positive thinking.
Its no coincidence that one of the inputs on the Death Clock AI date of death predictor is how optimistic or pessimistic you are.
Laura recommends actively seeking out community support, spending time doing small things that give you a feeling of accomplishment, such as completing a puzzle or watering the garden, and helping a neighbor with groceries,” since these little things can “bring a feeling of peace and contentment to your entire being.”
Hear, hear.
Laura Rhodes-Levin is a therapist specializing in anxiety, depression, and trauma. Shes the author of The Missing Peace: Rewire Your Brain, Reduce Anxiety, and the founder of The Missing Peace Center for Anxiety.
