{"id":942,"date":"2023-06-08T07:26:02","date_gmt":"2023-06-08T06:26:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wakeupshakeupthrive.com\/?p=942"},"modified":"2023-06-09T06:05:37","modified_gmt":"2023-06-09T05:05:37","slug":"how-to-live-longer-and-better-through-friendships-and-passions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wakeupshakeupthrive.com\/fr\/how-to-live-longer-and-better-through-friendships-and-passions\/","title":{"rendered":"How to live longer and better through Friendships and Passions!"},"content":{"rendered":"

Last month, we shared a deep dive into four inspiring conversations with dynamic mothers ages 50+. Our deep dive into what has changed in their careers, in motherhood, and in how they see themselves revealed a number of insights. The most powerful? The role community and connection plays in the success of working women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This month, we want to continue the conversation by highlighting other connections in our lives that contribute to our longevity, our health, and our well being – at home and at work. These include relationships with our friends, co-workers, business connections and with causes we are passionate about. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The month of June is named after Juno (Latin I\u016bn\u014d), which comes from the root word for \u201cyoung\u201d (Iuuen). It\u2019s been our experience that maintaining beneficial relationships keeps us connected and feeling youthful as we age and June seems the perfect time to do just that!!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Nurturing Friendships for Well Being<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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We derive joy from connecting with friends, but did you know this connection can also help us combat stress? In a series of studies<\/a> conducted at the University of Virginia, people were faced with the threat of getting an electric shock either while solo or while holding a friend\u2019s hand. MRI scans revealed that in those clinging to a friend, the brain regions that sense danger were significantly less active. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In our book, Wake Up, Shake Up, Thrive!,<\/strong><\/a> <\/strong>we talk about how relationships protect health through companionship, emotional support and practical  assistance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When we spend more<\/strong> time strengthening our bonds with friends we have less<\/strong> loneliness and isolation and more <\/strong>emotional support, personal development and a sense of belonging. In 2023, one in three<\/a> adults aged 50\u201380 reported feeling isolated from others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Neuroscience backs this up. Spending time with friends has been shown to cause more activity in the parts of the brain that make us feel good \u2013 the reward circuits<\/a>. Maintaining long-lasting valuable social relations, including friendships, and an active social life appears to protect the brain from illnesses later in life such as dementia and Alzheimer\u2019s which affect many older adults.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Making new friends as we age can be invigorating but there can be value in looking backwards too. If you\u2019ve lost touch with someone, the power of the Internet and sites like Classmates.com and Facebook may help you find that \u201cold friend\u201d again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Tips for Making and Keeping Up Friendships: <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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