Thanksgiving- The Longevity Holiday
I am sorry to break the news, but regarding longevity, I am not talking about the food. The turkey is fine until we slather it with yummy gravy. Sweet potatoes are great, but not mixed with brown sugar and topped with marshmallows. Cranberries are powerful antioxidants but not when they come out of a can. I did not mean to take the joy out of the feast, so just load up your plate and enjoy. Let me get to the good stuff.
I have always loved Thanksgiving, so many wonderful memories of family, friends, and yes the food (memories don’t have hollow calories.) Memories make us feel good. And as it turns out the good feelings are not just good for our brain, but our bodies as well. Memories can calm our nervous system, reduce inflammation, and improve our immune function. I can just feel the years being added to my life.
But the best benefit of Thanksgiving for longevity is social connection. Even if our team loses (Go Lions), or the political conversation does not go our way, being around people is the single most important factor for longevity. You read this correctly. More than genetics, exercise, and nutrition (which we have set aside for this day), social connections of any kind can lead to a healthy, happy and long life. Please fact check me using the 87 year old Harvard study and the subject for the best selling book A Good Life: Lessons From The World’s Longest Study Of Happiness.
Author and current director of the study Robert Waldinger summarized the book with this:
“ Good relationships keep us healthier, happier and lead to a longer life…period.” Maybe best to skip the political conversation. Hey I am just sayin’.
Oh, and one last thing. You know that silly family tradition at Thanksgiving, the one where everyone takes turns saying what they are grateful for? Lean in to it this year. This is the holiday celebrating giving thanks. It is in the name! The longevity experts tell us that living with gratitude can have positive effects on our body and brain, and is linked to a 11-15% longer lifespan.
Yep, Thanksgiving is a longevity holiday, and I love it.
Enjoy your day,
Just a little extra-
I have a thought for a new family tradition -
Take a short family walk. A post meal walk can lower you blood sugar, improve insulin sensitivity, reduce inflammation and boost our mood.
Just a little more longevity tips to help us celebrate many more Thanksgivings in the future.
References
Cole, Garry. February 2024. Are We Old Yet? (Yes, I used my book as a reference)
Waldinger, Robert MD. The Good Life Lessons From The World’s Longest Scientific Study