Day 3: How Company Fuels Longevity

We’re so used to road-tripping with company that we have a whole host of names for the person sitting next to the driver—co-pilot, navigator and even “passenger princess.”

After all, who wants to drive for hours, or even days, with no one by their side? The same is true for life’s journey, and there are proven health benefits to having someone “riding shotgun” with you. On the other hand, rolling solo for too long can become quite a road hazard.

Long stretches of isolation or feelings of loneliness can negatively impact our critical thinking skills, mental health and sleep before causing cognitive decline. In fact, loneliness is reported to be as harmful to your health as smoking 15 cigarettes per day! The National Institute on Aging reports that loneliness can increase our dementia risks by as much as 31% and cognitive impairment risks by 15%. In addition, it can raise risks for heart attack, stroke, diabetes and cancer.

And, unfortunately, too many of us are traveling the road to longevity alone. That’s why in 2023, the Office of the Surgeon General deemed loneliness an epidemic as even prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, one in every two American adults reported experiencing it.

However, understanding why so many of us are dealing with social disconnection now is still being examined. Some researchers say we become more introverted as we age, while others argue that we’re not as social because we’re busy working, raising children and managing other responsibilities. Regardless of the reason we may find ourselves alone, it’s vital we have someone to “road trip” with because, as we discussed yesterday, the brain needs various forms of stimulation to stay tuned up.

On the other hand, people with a “car full” of meaningful connections—or relationships that make them feel valued and understood—have a lower risk of cognitive decline. This may be because they experience less decline in gray matter, the part of the brain that helps control memory, decision-making, muscle control and the five senses.

Socialization is so crucial to longevity that the Surgeon General’s Office reported it can increase survival odds by 50%—even if those interactions are as simple as a 10-minute phone call with a loved one. The frequency you see your friends and your access to technology also can make a difference.

In one study, people in their 60s who saw their friends nearly every day had a 12% lower risk of developing dementia compared to those who infrequently socialized.

In another study of aging trends, researchers found that 70% of non-isolated people had access to a working cellphone or computer to regularly text or email with their “ride or die” friends. Even four years into the study, they had a 31% lower risk of loneliness than their peers.

Still, it’s important to keep your eyes on the road rather than the screen. Spending two hours or more on social media daily is associated with an increased likelihood of loneliness. So, limit your time to 30 minutes or less.

Keep reading for some tips on how to find more co-pilots on this journey or strengthen the connections you already have.