The value of companionship in cardiovascular health

A new study from Harvard University in the US links loneliness to an increased risk of stroke.

Learn how companionship can protect your heart.

Loneliness is transformed into a global epidemic that seriously and in many ways affects health. A new study from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health shows that it is not just a social phenomenon but a serious and independent risk factor for stroke.

In recent years, there have been many studies showing that social contact and networking, especially human interaction in the real (and not digital) world, is a “medicine” for health. For example, it is known that socialization and interaction are a protective shield against Alzheimer’s disease. Even in the case of mild cognitive impairment, socialization helps middle-aged and elderly people maintain their mental and physical condition as well as their functionality at a better level.

Its lack, according to many studies, seems to be a harbinger of many degenerative diseases, as it is associated with an increased risk of depression, sleep disorders, cardiovascular diseases, obesity and diabetes. The new study finds that loneliness leads to a 56% higher risk of stroke. Occasional loneliness does not increase the risk, the research reports in eClinicalMedicine.

Four out of five employees (80%) said that the well-being they experience in their daily lives has improved significantly due to the greater flexibility that hybrid working offers them.

Loneliness itself is also associated with a loss of well-being, the adoption of habits that are harmful to the body, and the simultaneous neglect of good habits such as preventive examinations. Also, lonely people are likely to exercise less, especially as they age, and insufficient exercise, according to a study by the World Health Organization, is an independent risk factor for the faster onset of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, obesity, neurological disorders, diabetes and some forms of cancer.

The role of hybrid work in well-being

The hybrid work model that was developed during the Covid pandemic is also contributing to better well-being, according to new research from the International Workplace Group. Four in five employees (80%) said that the well-being they experience in their daily lives has significantly improved due to the greater flexibility that hybrid work offers them. The widespread adoption of the hybrid work model worldwide has resulted in a large number of employees dividing their working hours between home, flexible workspaces nearby and the company's headquarters, resulting in drastically reduced travel and ensuring more quality time.

68% of respondents said their fitness has improved due to hybrid working, with benefits including more time to exercise (54%) and preparing healthy meals (58%). The same survey found that employees who have adopted the hybrid working model feel more rested (80%) as they have adopted a healthier lifestyle and sleep pattern. Many companies are orienting employees towards physical health with programs that promote exercise. 17% said they work for a company that offers discounted gym memberships, while 28% have been included in bike commuting programs. Given recent WHO research that links lack of exercise to an increased risk of many degenerative diseases, adopting or increasing physical activity is a passport to better health and greater well-being.

(source: LiFO.)