Loneliness and Unhappiness May Age You More Than Smoking
Surrounding yourself with people who help you feel good about your life may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about ways to lengthen your lifespan. But a new study suggests focusing on happiness and social connections may be one great way to boost longevity.For the study, researchers examined data on almost 12,000 adults 45 and older who participated in the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study. All of the participants provided blood samples, detailed medical histories, and information on their social circumstances and mental health. Scientists then used all of this data to predict which factors might make the biggest difference on longevity using a so-called “aging clock,” a statistical model for assessing biological rather than chronological age.Psychological factors such as being lonely or…