Social Relationships and Health
An
article which was recently published in the Journal of Health and Social
Behavior (http://hsb.sagepub.com/content/51/1_suppl/S54.full)
entitled, “Social Relationships and Health: A Flashpoint for Health Policy,
points clearly to the importance of social relationships for good health.
It
has been shown that social relationships – marriage, religious meetings,
volunteer agencies, etc. – both quantity and quality – “affect mental health,
health behavior, physical health, and mortality risk.” It goes on to say that
“Adults who are more socially connected are healthier and live longer than
their more isolated peers.”
The
results of the studies that have been done over the last few decades indicate
clearly the benefits for those who have social connections. For Christians who attend a fellowship
regularly and develop many good and wholesome relationships, this should be
good news! You might even find
that your health will improve and you will live longer!
-
Wayne Young
