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Get Out OrYour Cocoon... And Become A Social Butterfly

So called "social butterflies," who surround themselves with friends and remain active, live happier - and longer -lives than their cocooning counterparts. According to recently published reports, individuals (especially older adults) with rich social lives have a correspondingly lower risk of disorders such as chronic pain, Alzheimer's and heart disease. As a preventive care specialist, Dr. Christiana is committed to helping patients live healthier, more rewarding, lives. That's why Dr. Christiana has taken time out to share this exciting new research with you. Read on to learn about specific studies linking social well-being to disease prevention - and winning strategiesfor creating a solid support network of your own. A Positive Attitude Emotional vitality - defined as a high sense of social well-being and personal mastery - was the focus of a recent study.' Researchers monitored 1,002 severely disabled women, all of whom lived at home and were at least 65 years of age. Psychological testing revealed that 350 members of this group exhibited emotional vitality. Compared with women missing this winning feeling, emotionally vital women exhibited a decreased risk of further disability and death (Journal of the American Geriatrics Society 2000; 48: 135966). Remember More The fear of impending memory loss is a major concern for most elderly people. The good news is that older social butterflies are less likely to experience memory-robbing disorders than their socially isolated peers, researchers report. Researchers tracked 2,812 people for 12 years. All subjects were at least 65 years of age at the study's onset. After controlling for various risk factors of memory loss, scientists found that seniors who had five or six social ties - such as spouses, family members and friends - were half as likely to show signs of cognitive decline, compared with subjects with no social ties. All types of social ties were equally protective against mental decline", say researchers (Annals of Internal Medicine 1999; 131:165-73). Live Longer Surrounding yourself with friends may not only improve the quality of your life; it may also extend it. One study enrolled 725 nursinghome residents. Prior to the study, subjects completed standardized tests to ascertain their levels of social interaction. Study participants experiencing limited interaction with friends were 2.3 times more likely to die over the next two years, compared with social butterflies. After controlling for other risk factors of mortality, such as heart disease and smoking, less-social subjects remained 1.4 times more likely to die before their socially engaged counterparts (Journal of the American Geriatrics Society 2000; 48: 1367- 72). An earlier report, in the British Medical Journal, similarly emphasized the life-extending properties of social activity. The study followed 2,761 individuals from 1982 to 1994. All subjects were at least 65 years of age at the onset of the trial. Compared with the most socially active participants, the least socially active subjects were 20.3 percent more likely to die during the course of the study (British Medical Journal 1999; 319:478-83). Start Strong Now that we've established the fact social activity promotes well-being, what's the secret to sparking meaningful friendships? The number one answer is to be yourself. Second, when encountering potential new friends, focus on creating a positive fIrSt impression. Scientific studies indicate that simple strategies - such as using direct eye contact, smiling and repeating your conversation partner's name - can make a huge difference on the image you present. Life's A Game Here's another winning strategy for meeting new friend : in}'ite neighbors and co-workers to a weekly "game night." Choose a variety of card games or browse your local toy store for a new - or reintroduced - action/board game. Consider the game "Twister," for the limber of limb, and "Scrabble," for the sedentary of seat. In addition to creating social networks, some games may actually bolster well-being by activating specific brain pathways associated with immune cell production. Research presented at the Society for Neuroscience's annual meeting, held in November 2000 in New Orleans, indicates that playing thought-provoking games - such as bridge - may ward off disease. Consider this example: 12 elderly women played a 90-minute session of contract bridge. Compared with blood samples taken before the game, samples taken afterwards contained significantly more white blood cells associated with disease prevention (CD4-positive Tlymphocytes). Games such as bridge, according to researchers, activate the dosolateral cortex of the brain; reputed to stimulate diseasebusting white blood cells. Get A Grip Remember the adage about the quality of a handshake shaping the perception of new acquaintances? A just-published report supports what many successful businesspeople have long speculated: a firm handshake fosters a positive first impression. To determine the psychological implications of handshakes, four investigatprs at the University of Alabama spent' one month, learning to classify handshakes. Th y then evaluated 112 students' handshakes for strength, vigor, duration, eye contact and completeness of grip. Students shook hands with each examiner two times; unaware their handshakes were being examined. In addition, the subjects completed standard personality assessments. The study revealed those with a firm handshake were more likely to be extroverted. In contrast, those with a limp handshake were more likely to be neurotic and shy. In women, but not men, a fIrm handshake was associated with openness to experience. The examiners were also more likely to, report that subjects with firm handshakes made a positive first impression, compared to those with limp handshakes (Journal of Personality & Social Psychology July 2000; 19: 11 0- 7). Look to Your Chiropractor for Information on Late-Breaking Wellness Research Your chiropractor is committed to helping patients embrace a wellnessoriented lifestyle. The foundation of this revolutionary strategy is spinal health. Chiropractors are experts at detecting and correcting dysfunctional areas in the spine associated with a myriad of conditions including back pain, headache, ear infection and carpal tunnel syndrome. In addition to emphasizing spinal health, your chiropractor also focuses on sharing late-breaking wellness research with patients information published in reputable scientific journals. Each week, this office presents an Optimal Health UniversityTM handout featuring a wealth of exciting new research. 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