How can social involvement improve my health?

These are the benefits you can expect by being more involved in your community:

• Better mood

• Better eating habits

• Less heart disease

• Better long-term memory

• Longer life

Believe it or not, all of these can be important benefits of being more socially engaged. Numerous research studies have proven that taking an interest in your fellow man and being man's best friend significantly improve your outlook on life and your long-term health.

You might be surprised to learn that you can make your own life less stressful and more satisfying by getting involved with other people. Being socially engaged in your community and with family and friends will also improve your physical health. A lot of medical research has investigated the health impact from social involvement. A lack of friends is linked to poor health, while health improves for people who are socially involved. Among older adults, general health continues to improve as the number of social activities increases. Interestingly, older adults need more than simply involvement with family. In a large study of over 3000 seniors, being involved with networks of friends provided more health benefits than networks of only family and children.

Researchers at Duke University reported their findings of social involvement and health in a large survey of almost 10,000 people. In their study, more frequent interactions with family and friends resulted in about a 25 percent reduced risk for heart disease and death. It's pretty amazing that doing something as simple as checking in with friends, greeting your neighbors, and taking an interest in others can substantially improve your own well being and help you live a longer, healthier life.