The relationship between a mother and her children is usually intense and loving. When we are born, it is with our mother that we have the most exciting contact, and the bonds become increasingly beautiful and strong. In childhood, is she the one who teaches us how to take the first steps and how to pronounce the first words? No wonder, therefore, that we have the mother figure as one of the most important of our lives.
If you are lucky enough to get along with your mother, if you rush to tell her your achievements, and if you don't hesitate to ask when you feel you need it, we have wonderful news: it is scientifically proven that the more time you spend next to you of your mom, the longer life she will have.
The same goes for your grandparents and the older people you have in your family. The more time you spend together, the better. The study that brought us to this beautiful conclusion was conducted by the University of California, San Francisco, USA.
There, scientists had the help of 1,600 people with an average age of 71 years. What was found was that the most lonely elderly had higher mortality rates compared to those who always had the company of their families.
It is not from today that researchers of human behavior warn us that loneliness is harmful. The recent study revealed, however, that loneliness is much worse for the elderly. That is: the older you get, the more you will need the company of dear ones.
Read also: 20 exciting pictures of mothers breastfeeding their babies
It's important to be together
These considerations make us review the role of nursing homes, often depicted negatively. In the end, it is much better for the health of the elderly to stay in a place with more people and receiving proper care than to stay at home alone, waiting for a visit.
It is crucial that we encourage the social life of older people, whether with their own family or friends. Over time, it is normal for our social circle to shrink, but it is always possible to establish new bonds of companionship and affection.
For Virginia Tech professor Rosemary Bliezner, younger people can have great benefits from making friends with seniors, as these people always share their life experiences and are often good counselors.
How about you, how about enjoying visiting your mother and grandparents? If these people are not present for any reason, it is always possible to spend some time getting to know other older people. Certainly both parties will win!
Q&A Science Special (Featuring Brian Cox) (April 2024)
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