A new medical study found that adults with close relationships and community ties experienced slower biological aging and less chronic inflammation.

Experts say that you should view loneliness just like you would hunger or thirst: a signal that you’re lacking something essential for your health. Having a rich social life may do more than brighten your days—it could also help slow biological aging, according to a new study.

Co-authors of the study, published in the journal Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, included Laura Kubzansky, professor of social and behavioral sciences at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and researchers from Cornell University, Weill Cornell Medicine, and Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University.

Drawing on data from more than 2,100 participants in the long-running Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) project, researchers discovered that adults with higher cumulative social advantage—meaning long-standing, robust relationships with family and friends and in religious and community groups—had biological markers showing slower cellular aging and reduced levels of chronic inflammation as compared to their less-connected peers. Read full study

How does our current aging approach of displacing older adults or ourselves contributes to these new findings? What are your thoughts? Join the conversation