How Your Friends Can Help You Live Longer

Did you know that loneliness is associated with health risks as negative as smoking 15 cigarettes a day? When we think of a healthy lifestyle designed to promote longevity, we think of factors like diet, exercise or genetics. Rarely do we consider loneliness as a factor in determining how long we live. Yet according to loneliness expert Dr. Julianne Holt-Lunstad, professor of psychology and neuroscience at Brigham Young University, "social connections have potent influences on health and longevity, and lacking social connection qualifies as a risk factor for premature mortality." Here, Dr. Holt-Lunstad joins Medcan MIND station team lead Jennifer Baldachin to explore how social connections promote wellness—with guidance on how to create new relationships. Check out the episode webpage for links and more info.