Healthy aging: The surprising power of your social life | Professor Rose Anne Kenney
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- Опубліковано 30 тра 2024
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Unfortunately, many of us spend our later years in poor health. But is this avoidable? And can we actually increase our healthy years?
While aging is inevitable, there are steps we can take to minimize its effects on our health. And surprisingly, some of these steps have nothing to do with exercise or diet. Simply spending time with others can provide countless benefits to us as we age.
But how can we maintain these connections? Does retirement affect our social interactions? And can attitude alone keep you healthier in your later years?
In today’s episode, one of the world’s top experts on aging, Prof. Rose Anne Kenny, joins us to explore these ideas.
Rose Anne is a world-leading geriatrician at Trinity College Dublin, where she leads a huge, long-term study on aging. She’s also the author of the number one international bestseller Age Proof: The New Science of Living a Longer and Healthier Life.
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Timecodes:
00:00 - Intro
00:49 - Quickfire round
01:51 - What’s the biggest myth about aging?
05:10 - What is aging?
08:47 - Aging process predictors
15:15 - Our growing elderly population
16:45 - Retirement
21:03 - Study on aging and social interaction
26:52 - Importance of social participation
29:41 - Studying the effects of loneliness
32:05 - Combating loneliness
33:24 - How attitude affects aging
35:33 - Social interaction online
38:33 - Creating social relationships
41:19 - Summary and Outro
Studies mentioned:
dunedinstudy.otago.ac.nz/publ... from the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Research Unit
tilda.tcd.ie/publications/ From The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA)
Buy Rose Anne’s book here: www.amazon.co.uk/Age-Proof-Sc...
Follow ZOE on Instagram: / zoe
Episode transcripts are available here: joinzoe.com/learn/category/nu...
Is there a nutrition topic you’d like us to cover? Email us at podcast@joinzoe.com and we’ll do our best to cover it. - Наука та технологія
I retired at 62 ,..6 years ago..i really disliked my industrial profession.Since having this new adventure (its definitely not retirement,what an outdated word) I’ve never been happier ….Im now looking to set up a holistic relaxing retreat for 60 y.o plus people, who want to really get back into cycling..walking,meditation,yoga reading etc…i dont have a lot of money,so everything is done purposefully….but i just love the ‘FREE’ time i have every morning,…..theres a million things to do…working was not a pleasure for me,it was a requirement that was dictated to me many years ago..i wish i had opted out and done something far more holistic..but i have today and thats what matters!..stay positive people,its out there !
Love this
Great idea! I wish you well in your plans and your new life.
My Dad epitimises this. He is 91 and has the most brilliant social life including art classes, teaches jazz and art at U3A, goes out to dinner with a group of friends every week and to jazz clubs a couple of times a week. Most people including himself think he is in his 70s!
Fantastic! How does he get about at 91?
That's so encouraging! Thanks for sharing. I'm 78, & aware that even though I have health issues, I still need to keep myself active & do a weekly dance exercise class, & have also begun singing lessons (something I'd wanted to do for years, since I sang in my school choir & loved it, all of over 60 years ago!) We all need fun in our lives, no matter what our age.
I live alone and have absolutely no family left. I have a very friendly dog who helps me meet many people. Some I just say hello to and some I know quite well, and see often, but wouldn’t quite call them friends. I wonder if that counts?
I find friends are very busy with family life or partners, which I don’t have.
You sound like me l live alone too.Until 3 weeks ago l had a dog sadly she died. Sharnie got me out of the house and l could talk to other people with dogs. I wouldn't say they were friends as l only saw them with their dog. I doknow other people but as is the case with you they are very busy.
@@diannegoode9010 ah I’m so sorry about your dog. I’m so glad I got another dog after I sadly lost mine. She has changed my life, but I nearly didn’t get another dog.
It's too early for me to decide.
I believe some people are invigorated and energised by social interactions, some are exhausted and depleted by too many social interactions. Im one of the later and therefore keep my social interactions below the point that I cross my exhaustion threshold. Social interactions short and sweet despite societal pressure to always be super social
I think we have to search until we find the type and level of social activities that work for us. I’m quiet and shy, and hate situations where I feel like I should make small talk, but if I’m taking an art class or something like that, I get my social needs met without feeling awkward.
"Too many" being the key words. I think we all need social interactions to some degree. I'm an introvert and also quite shy, but I love having my friends close to me. Having control over how many people I can interact and socialise with at the one time is very important for me.
Totally agree. I have much less stress the less social interaction I have. My immune system seems to be better and my body moves more freely, so no one can tell me that being social will improve my health as I age. Long solo walks in nature do it for me. We are all different and I believe there are many people like me
Amen!
I can relate to these feelings of some relief with less interactions however I do beat myself up a lot for being so shy (over 50) cause good company, conversations and activities can be like tonic for the soul and although I get invites to interesting places I find myself pulling out last minute... the desire to be sociable and confident is there but shyness is overwhelming.. Totally admire people who can blend in easily or furthermore light up the room in a non- annoying way. At least it's comforting to know there are people out there who understand
I retired at the age of 57 to really enjoy helping the needy by volunteering. I wake up every morning so motivated and full of energy and inspiration. Because I can make things happen and motivate the people in my care, without any unreasonable supervision, I thoroughly love it and can do best without stress. My friends around my age don't have life. They're in a rut race, and very boring. They worry about life, always are annoyed by the family member, and stuck babysitting the grandkids, and drinking. I have nothing in common. The younger like minded people are easier to mix with. I also treasure my alone time a lot. I love travelling solo to have "wow" moment every time I go to a new place. We need new challenges to stimulate our mind, heart, physical and spiritual satisfaction.
This whole session reminded me of how, during the two years I lived in Dublin, I laughed more often and more uproariously than ever before or since. I think Irish people are pre-programmed to be able and willing to laugh at practically anything. Magical.
That's lovely to hear as an Irish person. The country is made all the better and more interesting for hosting people from many different backgrounds and nations. Am very glad you enjoyed your time here, you're welcome back any time 😊
Have you also studied people with Autism? I find social interactions often quite stressful and I'm rather on my own, not lonely though. I find keeping in touch with people on social media a lot easier, because I can do so when I choose, for how long I choose and I don't get overwhelmed having to participate in traffic, or public transport.
I feel pretty much the same way.
It's true. We don't have the same threshold when it comes to social interactions. Some need a lot of interactions to feel stimulated. Lack of social interactions will make them anxious. For others it's the opposite. They feel anxious, overstimulated and stressed by even minimal interactions.
I retired to Italy in 2018, at age 64, and rent a flat living on my own. By 2019, I was into voluntary work teaching English at the local library, and cultural studies at a nearby University. That all came to an abrupt halt in March 2020, and has not resumed. But in October 2020, I met my current partner. I still live on my own, and some previous friendships have faded out over the last 3 years. But I am part of a lovely yoga group. And a beach gang 😅. As I approach my 70th birthday, my health is better than ever
As a person with double diagnosis Aspergers syndrome and ADHD I have been most of my life feeling lonely (I'm 46 years old now) and I find social interactions exhausting, and as much as I want to be socially active and sometimes I even impulsively put myself in social interactions I can't help to regret it right away because it only drains my energy, make me nervous and anxious which I believe it is not healthy either.
The world already demand people to be in a certain way. You have to be an extrovert, dress, talk and look in a certain way and people that doesn't fit the bill feel even worst about it.
Hi Jazzmachine. A lot of people like shy people. I do.
Yep. I am 56 yrs. I just skateboarded down my road. I feel half my age.
I am 79 and have noticed amongst my older friends that they seem to be fine and suddenly they seem to go from being ‘older’ to being ‘elderly’. I was very ill last year and it left me weak and unsteady. I thought that I had arrived at being ‘elderly’ but determined to become fit again. It has taken a year but I am nearly back to where I was in fitness, although I often get tired more quickly. I now wonder if the progress to ‘elderlyness’ is a ratchet process instead of a steady decline.
I'd describe myself as subsocial. I don't
like being around a lot of people and don't like the constant emotional demands of engaging with more than a very few people. Being forced into
high sociality triggers chronic migraine and IBS. It's bad for my health and happiness.
That’s fine. Between social butterflies and hermits is where a lot of us lurk, literally. Keep away from triggers of stress( unless you need help with social anxiety)and be happy in yourself. Not everyone needs the social validation of others.
one may want social connections as much as may be but what if other people seem uninterested or even hostile
Yes, I think one has to find the right amount of social….less might be less aggregating
My dad is 94 and in past 2 years after lockdown have seen a massive improvement in his health, from how it was during lockdown. Great to hear the science proves social interaction helps with our well being.
The problem is there are a LOT of toxic people out there. Selfish, narcissistic and evil people that will abuse you and make you feel miserable and depressed...
You are correct that there are many toxic people, but warm, kind, gloriously imperfect people far outnumber them.
Lovely to listen to Rose speak and to hear about her fascinating study.
I'm Irish, 54 and would love to be part of Prof. Kenney's study on ageing, must look into it. Well done Prof, doing us proud, go on the Mná 🥰
Rose Anne Kenny’s book is fantastic - lots of detailed discussion of the evidence base on how to improve one’s healthspan. So lovely to hear her speaking about one aspect of her book here.
Ugh guys what we actually need is more information of what happens to metabolic functioning for women in menopause!!!
This seems to gloss over some important points:
We need to understand ourselves if we are to benefit from social interaction. Time spent understanding the ideas deveoped by the ancients, such as Aristotle, Stoics Taoism, buddhism , will foster a balanced outlook that allows someone to cope with the challenges that life throws at us. Social interaction can then be useful but should be tailored to the individual, because the individual knows themselves - and understands how much and the nature of the social interaction they need.
The idea that work provides a useful social function as we pass "retirement age" reflects a somewhat narrow middle class take on work.
I'm 54 and moving soon to a new home I will share with an old friend here in Ireland. I really look forward to it and to escape the loneliness I feel living alone. I have social anxiety and am an introvert, but I love being around my friends around me and thrive on human interaction so long as it's not overwhelming with lots of people I don't know.
We are social creatures and need this, and am happy to at least have great neighbours and friendly interactions with people daily in my town which helps a lot. I think living in a more communal country is better for ones mental health, than a more atomised one where people keep their distance. Lived in Sweden and enjoyed it, but to grow old there? nope, not for me.
Loneliness is an epidemic in many Western countries and I think our nuclear family structure and so many people living alone exacerbates it, especially as one gets older and kids fly the nest.
I think the Blue Zones show that social connection is very important for good health, quality of life and contributes to longevity of life span. In Okinawa Japan there are social support groups that start in childhood and continue throughout their whole lives called Maoi. They meet to work and play and pool resources.
Imagine having at least 5 people there for you your whole life long who deeply respect and support each other through anything life throws at you and be your closest friends. That is a safety net better than any other. No wonder people live longer there than anywhere else on earth.
I think if every society had a version of the Maoi, loneliness would be a thing of the past and peoples lives would be far more enriching and satisfying, especially as we age.
I'm making my own Maoi by buying a home with some land where myself, my partner and some creative friends can stay and visit and garden, eat together and support each other. We have the Men's Shed movement here and now Women's Sheds which offer social outlets and support too.
This podcast/video has been most inspiring. It is so easy to become "lonely" as one progresses with age.... I did feel that at one stage in the last 5 years. But mindfulness did teach me that contact with others is vital to be able focus on that "Blue Sky".
I love Prof Rose Anne Kenny's input on what can keep "one young". I have taken notes on her advice. We are social creature. And listening to this video/podcast, I shall ensure that interaction with others is retained/continued. It all takes effort - yes. But that is with much in life.
Thank you for such an interesting and inspiring session. I do feel inspired - What I felt was an ingredient in life, Prof Rose Anne Kenny has certainly confirmed - Live life to the full whatever age you are - socialise with others / Work to whatever age you feel is enough. - It is all about attitude, so long as your health allows you to, go for it!
I so wish such a study as what is being carried out at Trinity College Dublin, was conducted here in England /Scotland/Wales too! Maybe it will come about, we shall see. I think it would help science and also the commercial/corporate/Public /Private sector employers and employees attitude to "aging".
Thank you again for such an interesting and inspiring 40 minutes!
I wonder if staying in work depends on the nature of your work and how much it feeds you socially/intellectually etc
I.have social anxiety and im at my most relaxed in my own company. I do see family every few weeks and even that causes me anxiety. I coped with work colleagues all my working life but since retiring i am happy to be on my own.
Does this apply to both social and non-social people (at the start of the study)? I do like to socialise, but in small doses. Any more than a few hours, or days away from home, & I'd much rather go and "hibernate" & recharge my batteries as it were, and get stressed if I have to socialise too much. I didn't mind lock-down at all. I don't *feel" lonely when on my own. (Note that I do play an online multi-player game, so I do a certain amount of "virtual" socialising each day, often with members of the Guild I've belonged to for many years).
So am I denying myself that I don't think I need? Or does the need vary by your mental aptitude? For life-and-soul-of-the-party types, I can see this makes sense, but not everyone is built that way.
I completely agree, and it’s something I also wondered about. Socialising completely exhausts me after a while and I need time alone.
I think finding the right dosage *for you* is key. I'm like you too - socializing for one hour is ample for some friends, whereas getting up to 3 hours is really pushing my limits. Horses for courses, or more helpfully, "little and often".
I feel like you've written my comment for me! 😂
What an amazing woman. Inspiring!
Rose you are fantastic, do more of this.
It can be devastating for someone to retire and lose a spouse. The resultant social isolation and depression can lead to a quick death.
I love the "put your phones down" and "rach out" advice!
Excellent interview with excellent information!
I think of old age as the disability part. You talk about healthy people being forced into retirement due to age and loosing purpose, but I see far more on the other spectrum who are becoming severely and increasingly disabled and ill, and are struggling to continue working because they can’t afford to retire. It would be nice to have a choice, like you said. You must come from a culture with universal healthcare.
This was fantastic, very inspiring ! Thank you Professor Kenney and Jonathon
Depressing. I’m definitely on my way out!
Prof Kenney is remarkable - supersmart, insightful, genuinely engaged in what she does and as a bonus, very amusing. Thankyou Prof Kenney ❤
Thank you both so much❤❤
At age 60 I decided to cut my work hours from 4 - 10 hour shifts per week to 3. Next month I’ll be cutting down to half-time. I’ll be 65 soon I’m not sure how long I’ll continue to work. I have loads of interests and activities and am never bored. I’ll probably put in another 3-4 years, but we’ll see. Both of my parents lived into their 90s. My dad often asks me when I’m going to retire 😊.
Could you make please one specific video about female hair loss, ageing and nutrition ? Thanks
It makes sense that attitude determines the aging process because the body is the subconscious mind, so what you think, feel and believe effects the body and how it works. Your brain releases molecules and chemicals effecting how your organs work.
I'm so happy to read your response. I never grew up and now I'm almost 72 and don't understand how to act old.
I really enjoyed listening to this, thinking about myself reaching retirement age and also about my mum who lives in Dublin aged 87 and is lonely 😞
Brilliant - more more more!!!
There’s a 103 year old tango dancer in Waterford… he visited Buenos Aires to dance and celebrate his 100th birthday!
Really inspiring - thank you - and yes I did make a phone call to a long-lost friend tonight 🙂
The isolation that many felt during lockdowns, may explain many illnesses and deaths, even though they may have saved many lives by reducing covid infection rates. Will be interesting to see, over the next few years.
Maybe one reason why the excess deaths are fairly consistently significantly higher now and over the last few years around the world. I think the lockdowns did huge damage to people's mental health with a knock-on effect on their physical health.
I’d love to be part of Rose Anne’s study, but I live in Scotland so that rules presumably rules me out, sadly. Great episode!
It's definitely genetics in my family. Most of my family in both sides live to 90s-106. My paternal grandfather looked old at 50, he smoked tobacco, never exercised and was obese. He lived to 99 😂. My mom told me, he made fun of people who walked for exercise. He bid her he'd probably live longer than them. He sure did.
As far as loneliness is concerned, I’d like to know what is the affect of having pets on someone’s health.
Absolutely. Personally, my cats give me (and I them at least to some degree) huge emotional support and that's going to be similar to human friendships I'm sure.
I would also. My dog gives me enormous joy and helps me meet and socialise with other people.
@@helenmurray6786 I can’t imagine life without pets. We have 2 cats and 2 dogs. They give us so much emotional support.
@@trishhickson1550 Exactly. When we moved to a new area, I made friends immediately through our dogs. It’s so easy to start a conversation with someone, without coming over as weird.
I'm so pleased to see this (and following comments) about the importance of pets.
The recent death of one of my two dogs and one of my three cats (both due to age and illness) has made me realise how incredibly important their routines are to my days of retirement, and just how much fun our interactions are when I play with them.
Even our 3 _"street dogs"_ in our local Thai village, (which we feed each day) are important, as I go about my daily walk and interact with them - making eye contact, talking to them, patting them and getting a wagging tail in response, helps give that roundness to an otherwise rather quiet Expat life.
People are living longer but how many are funding their retirement well or even living well? As state and other pensions get leaner much more saving and planning will be needed.
I have venous insufficiency at age of 38.
This means i should not do any sport activities (except swimming, walking), not eating snacks, restaurant foods, not drinking alcohol, not sitting, standing too much.
How could i creat social interactions? 😀
online?
Yes, you're right, it's a big challenge for anyone with such restrictions. And yet there are people who enjoy being _"volunteer visitors"_ to medical establishments and also to people's homes for similar cases as restricted as yourself, or even bedridden.
However the challenge is to make that linkup with other people or organisation that welcomes such volunteers, and arranges the visits.
As the other Commenter has stated, online searches & communication is likely a good place to start.
I get a headache with too much social interactions. 😅
I hate social participation...i find it so stressful...it raises my bp. So i guess i'm doomed.
The Bible says that Abraham died at the age of 175 and I believe it. Life was different back then. Air and water were pristine, food was healthy and natural, lot of sunlight, physical activity, an extended family, etc. And he founded a nation so he must have had excellent genes. Imagine if people can leave more than 120 years in our current toxic world, it's possible to have lived much longer before pollution ruined our environment.
Also the Bible is not literally true.
I have edged into my mid-70s. Legally I am single although I have a significant other. Anyway, my life is noticeably better than it was when I was in my physical prime. A lot of that is due to luck. I have remained healthy which to a large degree is just good luck. Aside from that, I no longer have to worry about my financial situation. There is an element of luck in that, too in that my invested savings have netted results over the decades. Also, at my age I don't have to worry about my economic future 30 years hence although that is kind of a bittersweet reality. Unlike in my younger days, I am no longer preoccupied by trying to appeal to women. Unlike 40 years ago when I would probably be disregarded by a member of the opposite sex, now I not only _know_ I will be disregarded. But I think everyone is better off for it.
Seem somewhat bias in favor of neurotypicals re socialising.
I'm neurotypical and introverted. My spouse is neurodivergent (Aspergian) and far more social than I am! He's not as easily overwhelmed as I am.
These are spectra, not binary classifications.
We can adapt the message to those of us who are non typical
ZOE is amazing. However so much of the advice needs money. Ĺife on UK state pension does not enable such options.
What about the effect of pets on mitigating lonliness - is there any information on that aspect?
The emotional demands ofother people can be exhausting
UA-cam IS my social life. I will go get some friends.
what are friends
So solitary confinement in prison really is a cruel punishment.
*The surprising power of your social life*
My social life : *_doesn't exist_*
What about introverts, which I identify as?
if you retire you can be more isolated or bored or thier is no set routine neurosurgeons state cerebal reserve is key studying to high level at older age is more benefical but i agree more friends does help with decline but many other factors & alcohol over doing it can also cause more ill health so i dont agree with this fully many dont studyover 50 so will decline due to this my blood pressure is 120/80 but have aps syndrome dont drink or smoke exercise etc family died young eat clean off to university kings next year genetics are partly to play & envoirmental access to healthcare thrombectomy units etc postcode lottery healthcare
💖❤️💖🙏❤️💖❤️
Have you considered people that are autistic and find making friends very difficult. There are so many more neurodivergent people in the world today. What's your advice for them
Summary at 41:19.
Two things: The longest recorded lifespan is currently 137, by a male person in Africa. This has been verified by birth records. Aging has already been "cured" in mice, by genetic engineering. One of the researchers tried the same technique on himself, and got cancer. Early detection saved him.
Can you tell me who that was please?
nice handle...check genisis book of world records likely easy to do.
@@lifeisshortthatsforsure
Would have thought you were somewhere in your 30 or early 40s Jonathan
Please presenter Johnathan speak as concisely and relevantly as your invited guest.
Now a days most people are toxic
rip to those who were born under the "loner" sign
33:34 you're as young as you feel?
I don’t need people and their aggregation…
Bs....if your sick before 70 as you age, its no picnic
Zoe hits a new low pseudo psychology personified
55 year-old woman... and very much an introvert... I am happiest when I am alone. In other words, not every human is gregarious. Many people, myself included, absolutely loved the effect of COVID in terms of being forced to work from home - less human interaction, less daily stress, and much more work done. I've noticed that as I have gotten older, I have a much shorter fuse for idle chat and stupidity. My mental and physical health has much improved since the pandemic. I can't wait to retire - I have so many creative hobbies and other stuff I want to try - I'll be kept very busy by myself.