347. Being unhappy or lonely might age you faster
Dr. David Geier is an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist in Charleston, South Carolina and Charlotte, North Carolina. He helps athletes and active people feel and perform their best, regardless of age, injuries and medical history. He has been featured in major media publications and shows over 2,500 times throughout his career.
Being unhappy or lonely might age you faster, according to the findings of a new study published in the journal Aging. Researchers collected data on more than 4,400 Chinese adults over the age of 45, looking at social and economic status, health history, biometrics and blood sample data. They also collected responses to 8 markers of their psychological states. The researchers found that being on the lower end of a psychological well-being scale, especially feeling lonely or unhappy, has the effect of speeding up the aging process by more than 1.5 years. This aging effect from loneliness or unhappiness was stronger than the effects of biological sex, living area, marital status, and smoking status.
Through the stories of a dozen athletes whose injuries and recovery advanced the field (including Joan Benoit, Michael Jordan, Brandi Chastain, and Tommy John), Dr. Geier explains how sports medicine makes sports safer for the pros, amateurs, student-athletes, and weekend warriors alike.
