In the current search for some ephemeral fountain of youth, questionable bio-hacks, supplements, drugs and surgical interventions are presented as quick fix approaches to slow down and even prevent the decline of aging. Unfortunately, this can distract people from the basic lifestyle requirements that have the greatest impact on healthy aging, including a whole plant food diet, consistent physical activity, restorative sleep, and stress response management. As you consider the factors that promote healthy aging and longevity, it is important to realize that a substantial body of evidence suggests that our social relationships and connections are an indispensible part of essential anti-aging factors.

I can remember back to the days of my childhood in the 1950s and ’60s in the old neighborhood in the Bronx where I grew up. In the summer evenings, the friends and neighbors from various tenement buildings would spread their folding chairs in front of the stoops of their buildings and sit in a circle to just hang out and share the stuff of their days and lives. The friendship, laughter, camaraderie, and intimate sharing of the ups and downs of their lives was truly the best medicine. Little did they know that these sharing circles would prove to be a valuable deterrent to aging decline and dysfunction.

In our distant past, we survived by living in supportive social groups or tribes that helped us procure our basic needs, minimize dangerous environmental pressures, and promote individual and group survival. As much as we need the biological necessities similar to other mammals—food, water, shelter, warmth, etc.—there is something we crave more than other creatures: the acceptance of others. This enables us to “fit it” and ensures community protection. As a result, on a deep-rooted level, social rejection triggers a fear response and is perceived as a threat to the survival of the individual. Although we may no longer need to depend on small clans or tribes for survival, the current fascination with and dependence on social media, and the way people reach out into the dim, dark corners of cyberspace to connect with anybody who’s out, there is an extension of our ancient need for social survival. 

Solid community and relationship connection can reduce isolation and loneliness which significantly accelerate aging decline and quality of life, and promote a clear threat of dementia later in life. (1) Connection and real personal communication, including conversation, shared activities, and community interaction are significantly health promoting and strengthen both mind and mood reducing the damaging effects of stress on aging.  An important lesson learned from observing the various long-lived Blue Zone cultures is that community involvement and social interaction are essential to functional, resilient, productive lifespan called healthspan. (2) Keep in mind that just adding years to your life is not necessarily the goal or in your best interest, especially when you consider that the gap between healthspan and lifespan in the U.S. is about 12.5 years. So that many people are living the last 12+ years of their lives in suboptimal health, no longer living on their terms, suffering with chronic disease, disability, drug dependency, while  surrendering their autonomy and independence. 

For the past 88 years, The Harvard Study of Adult Development has been the most extensive ongoing aging study focusing on what makes people thrive. This comprehensive study has involved thousands of participants followed over lifetimes with questionnaires, brain scans, blood lab markers, personal and family interviews. Surprisingly, it was not physical health parameters, and lab markers that best predicted the quality and extent of life; it was how satisfied individuals were in their relationships. (3) Comparing the extensive data of participants from  50 to 80 years of age, those most satisfied with their community of friends and family were the healthiest and least likely to have diseases at age 80, and more likely to recover from illnesses. (4) It was consistently evident that the connection to family, friends, and community led to longer, happier, and healthier lives. It contributed to more physical strength and less cognitive decline with age. 

It is so important to cultivate supportive major relationships, connect to helpful communities, and engage in activities of support at home. Seek out a new or ongoing nucleus of people and activities that will promote and support the food, exercise, and lifestyle choices you need to maintain optimal healthspan. Perhaps you can find a walking or exercise group that will help you stay on track. Perhaps you can find some health-promoting groups, organizations, online courses or programs, a lecture series, websites, podcasts, or a vegan cooking program online or near your home. This need for sharing and interaction is in our DNA and is a fundamental requirement of health.  

The NHA has embraced this important information and created remarkable social interactive opportunities in their annual live and online health conference, their online community program, in collaboration with the True North Health Center,  as well as their unique travel/cruise program. These programs keep you connected to a supportive like-minded community of people and experts sharing their lives, stories, life changing health information, and health journeys. These programs help you realize that healthy aging is not just about adding years to your life, or  avoiding disease, but also conversing, listening and responding mentally and emotionally to others, while creating joy, comfort, connection, and meaningful memories that support vitality and healthspan.   

REFERENCES

1. Nolan M. The science of aging. Emory magazine Summer, 2026.

2. Buettner D. The Blue Zones. National Geographic, November 6, 2012.

3. Dawson A. Lessons from the world’s largest scientific study of happiness. John Templeton Foundation.

4. Cassella C. World’s largest study of happiness still going strong after 88 years. Health March 20, 2025.