THE PULSE
HEALTH TIPS FOR BUSY PEOPLE
The Pulse delivers fresh insights every month to help you make healthy changes and live your best life. Got 5 minutes? The Pulse from 1Med can make you healthier.
February 2023
Issue #03
Love Is All We Need
"Love is All We Need" Painting, Banksy
In recognition of Valentine’s Day and Family Day, February’s edition of The Pulse will explore the impact of relationships on our health and well-being.
We examine scientific research that shows how our romantic partners, families, friends and co-workers impact us physically and emotionally.
The findings may surprise you. Keep reading. Love is actually more powerful than you thought!
Kirk and the 1Med Team
75-Year Harvard Study Finds the
One Secret to a Good Life
(Spoiler: It’s strong relationships)
Harvard’s Study of Adult Development may be the longest study on adult life that’s ever been done!
For 75 years, the study tracked the physical and emotional well-being of 724 men - half from the poor inner city of Boston and half starting out as Harvard undergraduates.
The conclusion? It didn’t matter how much money you had, how successful you were or how many likes you received on social media. The clearest message after all the research was this….Good relationships keep us happier and healthier. Period."
“The people who were the most satisfied in their relationships at age 50 were the healthiest at age 80," says Dr. Robert Waldinger, the study’s current director. "Taking care of your body is important, but tending to your relationships is a form of self-care too. That, I think, is the revelation.”
Interested in learning more?
This article provides an excellent summary of the Harvard study.
The Power of Your Partner
Love is a powerful thing, and most of us choose our partners based on love. But have you ever thought about how your partner can affect your health?
Research has shown that if your partner makes healthy lifestyle choices, you are significantly more likely to do the same. This holds true for everything from exercise habits and diet to work hours and smoking. So the person sitting next to you watching Netflix has potentially the biggest impact on your health!
Read this article to learn more.
Surprising ways your partner can affect your health ~ Medical News Today
Family Ties:
The Connection Between Family and Health
The Simpson’s have taught us a lot over the past 34 years. The biggest lesson, perhaps, has been the importance of family. While Homer makes some questionable lifestyle choices, Bart and Maggie are in a perfect position to change that. That’s because families can significantly impact the health of each family member.
A recent study published in Pubmed found less obesity in families that routinely eat dinner together. Another study in BMC Public Health saw that strong family structure led to more physical activity and sports participation.
So, this Family Day Weekend, consider sitting down to a meal together and plan for some physical activity, such as a ski trip or even skating at a local rink!
Besties at the Office = Better Bottom Line
The increase in remote and hybrid work has resulted in fewer social interactions at the office. This has made employees feel less connected to their colleagues and to what is happening within the organization. Having a workplace best friend has become a lifeline for many employees, giving them someone who is committed to helping and encouraging them.
Data from Gallup shows that having a best friend at work is strongly linked to business outcomes, including improvements in profitability, safety and employee retention. Also, these same employees are more likely to recommend their workplace to others and they experience greater job satisfaction.
Interested in creating and maintaining a friendship-friendly workplace that delivers measurable results at your company? Check out this great article from Harvard Business Review and learn what actions to take right now!
The 8 Types of Friends We All Need
You can probably name your best friend, an old college friend, and a work friend or two. All of these relationships are important for building a strong social network, but perhaps even more important, they each have a unique personality that shapes us into who we are. Happiness.com has named eight of these friends, categorized by their different interests, quirks and ambitions.
- The “Tell it like it is” friend
- The opposite of you
- The weird one
- Someone older
- The daring adventure seeker
- Work or career friends
- The close-by friend
- A close confidant
These personalities can provide balance, motivation, emotional support, or might just be good for a laugh. Take a moment to reflect on how your friends fit these molds, and what role you might play for others!
Read the full article here,
Whose path have you crossed?
Relationships come in all shapes and sizes and they affect us in many different ways.
These line drawings drawn by Olivia de Recat, a New York Times illustrator, depict a few of the common types of relationships most of us have at some point in our lives. It’s a poignant summary of the connections we experience at different points in our lives.
Here’s How Our Relationships Change Over Time (10 Illustrations) ~ Bored Panda
"There isn't time, so brief is life, for bickerings, apologies, heart burnings, callings to account. There is only time for loving, and but an instant, so to speak, for that."
~ Mark Twain
Thank you for reading
THE PULSE
Kirk & the 1Med Team