The secret of longevity from the people of Sardinia

Susan Pinker decided to investigate the cause of this phenomenon. She noticed that in Sardinia, houses in villages are very close to each other, and the streets are closely intertwined, that is, the lives of all people constantly intersect. In ancient times, all settlements were built this way, because at that time one factor influenced architecture - survival, and it requires security and social cohesion. With the advent of the industrial revolution, the challenges of architecture have changed.

Pinker spoke with many centenarians and concluded that outlook on life and nutrition did not affect longevity. The reason for it is communication. In Sardinia, people are constantly surrounded by relatives, friends, neighbors throughout their lives. They never live alone. This is how they differ from the rest of the inhabitants of developed countries.

Face-to-face communication improves health

Many researchers have wondered about the causes of longevity before. For example, psychologist Julianne Holt-Lunstad has conducted a number of studies examining the lives of tens of thousands of older people. She considered all aspects of their life: nutrition, physical activity, marital status, frequency of medical examinations, bad habits. Seven years later, she and her colleagues checked which of the participants was still alive and what factors influenced their longevity. It turned out that this is not sports, not the right diet, and not even the absence of bad habits.

Life expectancy is influenced by two factors: close relationships and social integration.

Relatives include people from whom you can ask for a loan if you urgently need money, those who will take you to the hospital or stay with you in difficult times. It is the presence of such people in your life that is an indicator of how long you will live.

The second factor is social inclusion - how much you interact with people throughout the day. And not only with loved ones. Are you talking to the postman? Or that woman who walks by your house every day walking the dog? Do you belong to any club or society?

Now we spend more and more time online, communication often also happens not live, but with the help of electronic devices. But it cannot be compared to personal communication.

Live communication triggers the production of useful neurotransmitters.

Even just eye contact, shaking hands, touching is enough to produce oxytocin, which lowers cortisol levels and reduces stress. It also produces dopamine, which acts as a pain reliever.

In addition, when we interact with a person in person, areas of the brain associated with attention, social intelligence and emotional reward are activated much more strongly.

Finally

Now back to where we started: why do women live longer than men? The main reason is that the fair sex is more focused on personal relationships. And they create a kind of protective field that protects against diseases and aging. This is true not only for humans, but also for our primate relatives. Anthropologists have found Strong and Consistent Social Bonds Enhance the Longevity of Female Baboons that female baboons who have girlfriends are less stressed and live longer.

We need to feel like part of the group. Scientists say we need stable, trusting relationships with at least three people to feel good. Nowadays, social isolation is one of the first places among the health risks. Therefore, it is now especially important to create conditions for personal communication in cities and workplaces.