The Italian island of Sardinia has more than six times as many centenarians as the mainland and ten times as many as North America. Why? According to longevity researcher Susan Pinker, it’s not a sunny disposition or a low-fat, gluten-free diet that keeps the islanders alive so long — it’s their emphasis on close personal relationships and face-to-face interactions.
Pinker explains that strong relationships and even the act of chatting to a neighbour or the cashier at the supermarket is a stronger indicator of longevity than stopping smoking. In an age of being connected digitally, are we connected enough to those around us?
At Reviva, staying connected is one of our core values. We recognise that social connections and close relationships are fundamental to positive ageing. We want to shout this from the rooftops!
Learn more about super longevity with this Ted talk. Thanks to ted.com for the video.
