Tag: Alive

  • Spicy Tofu Scramble with Spinach and Sweet Potato

    Spicy Tofu Scramble with Spinach and Sweet Potato

    Packed with flavour, spice, and plant-based protein, this satisfying and spicy breakfast dish makes enough for the whole family and is a cinch to make. Mustard powder, turmeric, and tahini lend not only their colour but their flavour to this scrumptious dish while sweet potatoes and spinach make sure that mom gets her veggies.

    Spicy Tofu Scramble with Spinach and Sweet Potato

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    Servings: 4
    Ingredients Method

    Ingredients
      

    • 17 ounces firm tofu
    • 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder divided
    • ½ teaspoon hot smoked paprika divided
    • ½ teaspoon sweet smoked paprika divided
    • ½ teaspoon salt divided
    • ¼ teaspoon mustard powder
    • ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
    • ¼ teaspoon dried red pepper flakes
    • 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
    • 1 ½ tablespoons tahini
    • ¾ cup oat milk
    • 1 cup finely diced sweet potato
    • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil divided
    • ¼ cup sliced green onions
    • 2 cups baby spinach leaves

    Method
     

    1. Lay folded kitchen towel on cutting board, place tofu on top, and drape end of kitchen towel over top of tofu. Press tofu, to remove excess water, by placing cast iron pan or other heavy object on top. After 15 minutes, pat tofu dry and, using clean hands, break into crumbles the size of large breadcrumbs. Set aside.
    2. Set out a small- and a medium-sized bowl and add 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon hot paprika, 1/4 teaspoon sweet paprika, and 1/4 teaspoon salt to each one. Stir well to combine.
    3. To small bowl containing garlic-paprika mixture, add mustard powder, ground turmeric, red pepper flakes, nutritional yeast, tahini, and oat milk. Whisk together to make a creamy sauce. Set aside.
    4. To medium bowl containing garlic-paprika mixture, add sweet potatoes and 1 tablespoon olive oil, stirring well to coat with spice mixture.
    5. Heat large nonstick pan on medium-high heat and add sweet potatoes. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes until soft and beginning to brown. Remove to plate and set aside.
    6. Add remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil to pan and heat on medium-high. Add tofu and cook until light golden brown on both sides, stirring gently, being careful not to break up tofu too much. Once tofu is light golden brown, add sauce, and stir gently to coat. Add green onion and spinach, then re-introduce sweet potatoes, stirring to combine for a few minutes, until spinach begins to wilt. Serve immediately with whole grain toast or flour tortillas.

    By Helena McMurdo

    RECIPE Courtesy of Alive Magazine
  • Lemon Chicken and Greek Salad Skewers

    Lemon Chicken and Greek Salad Skewers

    Lemon Chicken and Greek Salad Skewers

    The inspiration here is Greek Salad―but on a stick. We’ve added some savoury lemony garlic chicken packed with flavour so it’s delicious served cold. These skewers are packed full of veggies, which makes them easy to modify for those with dietary preferences. Just leave off the feta or the chicken for those who prefer veggies only. And while they’re delicious as is, the inclusion of a tzatziki-style dip adds an extra zing. To keep things on schedule, cook the chicken the day before or early in the morning of your picnic.

    Lemon Chicken and Greek Salad Skewers

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    Servings: 6
    Ingredients Method

    Ingredients
      

    Lemon Chicken
    • 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
    • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
    • ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
    • 1 garlic clove peeled and minced or crushed
    • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
    • ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
    • ⅛ teaspoon salt
    • ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
    • 1 boneless, skinless chicken breast
    Skewers
    • 4 ounces feta cut into 12 bite-sized pieces
    • 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
    • ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
    • 2 mini cucumbers sliced into 12 pieces
    • 12 grape tomatoes
    • 12 bite-sized pieces red onion
    • 12 bite-sized pieces bell pepper in mixed colours
    • 12 pitted Kalamata olives
    • 12 wooden skewers
    Tzatziki
    • ¼ cup Greek yogurt
    • 1 tablespoon grated cucumber
    • 2 teaspoons lemon juice
    • 1 teaspoon finely chopped mint

    Method
     

    1. In glass container with fitted lid, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, mustard, garlic, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper. Add chicken breast, coating on both sides with the marinade. Seal container and refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours.
    2. When ready to cook, remove chicken from refrigerator and bring to room temperature while you preheat oven to 350°F. Bake chicken for 45 minutes, or until instant-read thermometer registers 165°F. Allow chicken to cool completely and refrigerate to chill for minimum 2 hours.
    3. In small bowl, dress feta with olive oil and oregano. Cut chicken into 12 bite-sized cubes. Assemble skewers by placing pieces of cucumber, tomato, a cube of chicken, red onion, pepper, feta, and olive on each skewer. Pack in airtight container and place in your cooler.
    4. Combine yogurt, grated cucumber, lemon juice, and mint. Add to small Mason jar with lid and pack in cooler or picnic basket. Bring a spoon so picknickers can drizzle the dressing over skewers.

    by Helena McMurdo

    Recipe Courtesy of Alive Magazine

  • Chickpea Flatbread Sandwiches with Arugula, Pomegranate, and Chili Crisp

    Chickpea Flatbread Sandwiches with Arugula, Pomegranate, and Chili Crisp

    Chickpea Flatbread Sandwiches with Arugula, Pomegranate, and Chili Crisp

    The simple presentation of these strawberry coconut cream pots hides sophisticated flavour. Ripe berries are macerated with a dash of sherry vinegar, maple syrup, mint, black pepper, and a hint of salt which helps to bring out the flavours. They’re then combined with coconut cream before being layered over a nutty buckwheat and almond base. Sealed up in Mason jars, they’re a cinch to pack and serve.

    Chickpea Flatbread Sandwiches with Arugula, Pomegranate, and Chili Crisp

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    Servings: 6
    Ingredients Method

    Ingredients
      

    Flatbread
    • 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
    • ¾ cup whole wheat flour
    • 2 tablespoons nigella seeds (kalonji)
    • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon honey
    • ¾ cup tepid water
    • ½ teaspoon yeast
    • 1 to 2 tablespoons canola or sunflower oil for cooking
    Chickpea filling
    • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
    • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
    • 1 teaspoon honey
    • 1 teaspoon chili crisp
    • ½ teaspoon pomegranate molasses
    • 1 14-ounce can chickpeas
    • ⅔ cup pomegranate seeds
    • Mint sprigs for garnish

    Method
     

    1. In medium bowl, whisk together flours, nigella seed, cumin, and salt. Set aside.
    2. In small bowl, whisk together honey and water and sprinkle yeast overtop. Allow to stand for 5 to 10 minutes, until yeast begins to bloom. Add yeast mixture to flour mixture and stir to combine.
    3. Knead by hand or use stand mixer with dough hook to knead for approximately 7 minutes, until dough is smooth and elastic. Place in oiled bowl, cover with kitchen towel, and set aside to rise at room temperature until doubled in size, about 1 to 2 hours.
    4. Divide dough into 12 sections and roll each into a ball. Heat griddle or cast iron frying pan and brush with oil. Roll out each ball to a flat circle and place down on hot surface. Flip when bubbles appear on top surface and bottom begins to brown, about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Flip to other side and continue to cook until surface is golden. Allow breads to cool and then pack in airtight container.
    5. In small bowl or jar, combine olive oil, red wine vinegar, honey, chili crisp, and pomegranate molasses. Set aside.
    6. To medium pot, add chickpeas and their water, plus an additional can of water. Simmer, covered, for about 15 minutes. Remove from heat, uncover, and allow to cool for 10 minutes before draining. Drain and toss with dressing and pomegranate seeds. Seal in container and refrigerate or pack in your cooler.
    7. To a separate sealable container, add 2 cups of arugula and pack in your cooler.
    8. To serve, have picknickers make up their own sandwiches, adding a little bit of arugula to a flatbread and topping with chickpea mixture. Top each sandwich with a few mint leaves.

    by Helena McMurdo

    Recipe Courtesy of Alive Magazine

  • Strawberry Coconut Cream Pots with Mint and Black Pepper

    Strawberry Coconut Cream Pots with Mint and Black Pepper

    Strawberry Coconut Cream Pots with Mint and Black Pepper

    The simple presentation of these strawberry coconut cream pots hides sophisticated flavour. Ripe berries are macerated with a dash of sherry vinegar, maple syrup, mint, black pepper, and a hint of salt which helps to bring out the flavours. They’re then combined with coconut cream before being layered over a nutty buckwheat and almond base. Sealed up in Mason jars, they’re a cinch to pack and serve.

    Strawberry Coconut Cream Pots with Mint and Black Pepper

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    Servings: 6
    Ingredients Method

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
    • ¼ cup raw buckwheat
    • ¼ cup blanched sliced almonds
    • ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
    • ½ teaspoon honey
    • 8 ounces strawberries washed and hulled, plus additional whole strawberries for garnish
    • 1 teaspoon sherry vinegar
    • 2 teaspoons maple syrup
    • ½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
    • ⅛ teaspoon salt
    • 20 mint leaves
    • 1 14-ounce can coconut cream chilled for 24 hours

    Method
     

    1. In skillet, combine olive oil, buckwheat, and almonds. Heat on low and toast for 7 to 10 minutes, stirring to ensure even browning, until buckwheat and almonds are lightly browned. Remove skillet from heat, add cinnamon and honey, and stir rapidly to coat. Set aside and allow to cool. Once cool, transfer mixture to bowl of food processor and blitz for a few seconds. Press mixture into 6 small Mason jars.
    2. Dice strawberries and, in bowl, combine with vinegar, maple syrup, black pepper, and salt. Add mint leaves and mash them with a muddler or back of wooden spoon. Stir strawberries and allow to stand for 20 minutes.
    3. Reserve and refrigerate about 1/2 of the macerated strawberries; add the remaining to blender jug. Open chilled coconut cream and scoop only firm cream into blender (reserve water for another use). Process until smooth and thick. Pour mixture over buckwheat layer in each Mason jar. Seal and allow to chill for 1 hour.
    4. Top cream pots with a layer of reserved macerated strawberries. Garnish each pot with an additional fresh strawberry and sprig of mint.

    by Helena McMurdo

    Recipe Courtesy of Alive Magazine

  • Invasion of the body snatchers

    Invasion of the body snatchers

    Invasion of the body snatchers

    Autoimmune diseases are on the rise (and what you can do about it)

    The rates of the most common autoimmune diseases, including type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and multiple sclerosis, are on the rise―but there is hope for prevention and management.

    What’s in the name: defining autoimmune diseases

    Autoimmune diseases happen when your immune system, which is supposed to protect your body from harmful invaders like viruses and bacteria, mistakenly attacks healthy cells.  This results in chronic inflammation and damage to various tissues and organs in your body, which can trigger an array of health concerns, like arthritis.

    Unlike other diseases caused by external factors, this immune malfunction makes autoimmune diseases harder to diagnose, as symptoms can overlap with many other conditions and vary widely from person to person.

    The causes of autoimmune disease

    Researchers continue to debate various questions about the underlying causes of autoimmune diseases like lupus and multiple sclerosis.

    Most theories boil down to two key factors: your genetics and your environment. Genetic triggers cannot be altered, but degenerative factors like exposure to toxic elements, infections, or chronic stress can be avoided with lifestyle changes.

    Optimize your diet

    Being overweight or obese raises your risks, so eating a healthy diet is foundational. Exactly what you eat is key, too. There’s a correlation between inflammation and both the development and the symptoms of autoimmune diseases.

    Concentrate on anti-inflammatory foods, including leafy greens, fatty fish, nuts, and seeds. That’s the focus of diets like the autoimmune protocol (AIP) diet, which has been shown to help with inflammation-linked health concerns. Reduce the intake of processed foods, refined sugar, and trans fats. Prioritize foods rich in probiotics such as yogurt and fermented vegetables, as well as prebiotic fibres, which help maintain the gut―an important factor in immune function.

    Sweat it out

    Research suggests that regular physical activity can help to both prevent and manage the inflammation and common symptoms, such as chronic fatigue, of autoimmune diseases.

    You don’t need to be a gym rat to reap the benefits. If you’re struggling with pain, mobility, or fatigue, gentle forms of exercise like yoga and tai chi can do the trick.

    When to talk to a doctor

    There are some situations where factors are simply out of your hands. But you’re still empowered to take control of your health. Regular monitoring can catch early signs if you’re at higher risk due to family history. Blood tests and symptom tracking can make a big difference.

    If you notice persistent symptoms or have a family history of autoimmune conditions, consult a healthcare provider. Early detection and management are crucial to improving your quality of life.

    by Joshua Duvauchelle

    Article Courtesy of Alive Magazine

  • The brain’s role in immune health and allergies

    The brain’s role in immune health and allergies

    The brain’s role in immune health and allergies

    The two systems are in constant communication

    The immune system

    Made up of structural barriers, organs, white blood cells, proteins, and chemicals, the immune system protects us from foreign antigens and helps our bodies heal from infections and injuries. To do this, the immune system and the nervous system maintain extensive and elaborate communication.

    This system has two pathways, a gas pedal (flight or fight pathway) and a brake (rest and digest pathway).

    We know that the brain influences the process of inflammation as part of the immune system’s fight against injury or infection. Too much inflammation can lead to problems, like chronic pain or diseases. The brain can help keep this in check, but, if it’s overwhelmed by too much stress or illness, inflammation can cause harm.

    What does the brain have to do with allergies?

    The allergic response

    In some cases, the immune system reacts by making antibodies to attack allergens that aren’t otherwise harmful. When someone with an allergy is exposed to the allergen, the immune system’s antibodies release histamine into the bloodstream that can cause symptoms, including inflamed skin, sinuses, airways, or digestive systems.

    Allergy symptoms can occur for the first time at any age, and can be affected by hormones, stress, smoke, medications, perfume, or environmental irritants. Some allergies can be outgrown, such as children’s allergies to certain foods. Airborne allergens can strike seasonally, during pollination, or year-round in the case of dust mites and animal dander.

    The brain’s role

    The brain plays a key role in the allergic response by directing the immune system how to respond. During times of stress, illness, or other factors, such as hormonal changes, our immune systems may be weakened, causing allergic reactions to be more severe.

    The brain’s inflammatory response to allergens becomes chronic with repeated exposures to the allergen, which creates long-term effects on the affected areas of the body, such as airways, eyes, and skin.

    Brain health ties to allergies

    Poor lifestyle habits—like lack of sleep, improper diet, chronic stress, and sedentary lifestyle—can lead to poor brain health, which, in turn, can result in higher sensitivity to allergens and more allergic reactions.

    Other strategies for maintaining the health of our brains and, thus, our immune systems include:

    • Engaging in regular exercise and physical activity
    • Avoiding excess alcohol, smoking, and other chemical exposures
    • Continuing to challenge our brains as we age by learning new things, staying socially engaged, and promoting new neural connections
    • Staying aware of the impacts that common diseases like high blood pressure, diabetes, and inflammation can have on brain health
    • Ensuring a well-balanced diet that avoids excess neurostimulants, like caffeine, and chemicals, and focuses on antioxidant-rich vegetables, healthy omega oils, and optimal hydration

    by Joanne Peters

    Article Courtesy of Alive Magazine

  • Homegrown garments

    Homegrown garments

    Homegrown garments

    Bringing textiles back to the land

    Contrary to appearances

    You wouldn’t know it to look at them, but our standard wardrobe picks leave a carbon-emissions wake larger than the aviation and shipping industries combined. Churning out the latest jeans or moisture-wicking shirts en masse takes a whole lot of water, chemicals, and underpaid labour—realities that go unseen by most of us in North America.

    Harder to ignore, since no body or waterway can escape it, is the problem of microplastics pollution caused in large part by polyester’s growing ubiquity in clothing.

    Consumers are purchasing at five times the rate they did two decades ago and tossing at a rate of one garbage truck every second. Not exactly a recipe for a livable planet or a fulfilling way to relate to our goods.

    Weaving an alternative

    Fibresheds are a response to this. Like a watershed, a fibreshed is a network of producers and processors supplying their region with local and sustainable garment materials.

    Pioneered in California in 2011, fibreshed organizations now exist across the US, Canada, Europe, and beyond. Everyone from shepherds, flax growers, and spinners to natural dyers, mill owners, and designers are collaborating to build a sustainable garment system that develops local livelihoods and stewards the air, land, and water.

    Tailored approach

    “Fibre,” under this model, might be linen (from flax), hemp, cotton, silk, hides, wool, or any other plant or animal material appropriate to the place and conducive to a “soil-to-soil” cycle. At this smaller, more intentional scale, seed varieties and animal breeds can be chosen for local hardiness and compatibility with the bioregion.

    Cultural fabric

    Fibresheds also help develop the deep repositories of skills and knowledge required to grow natural fibres and turn them into usable textiles. There is a need for infrastructure (small-scale mills, for example), and for human experience with different materials and processes―challenges that are best tackled collectively.

    The goal is to have thriving cottage industries and local economies, plus the resilience of knowing how to clothe ourselves sustainably amid whatever environmental, economic, or political disruptions occur.

    What you pay for

    The truth is that this “farm-to-closet” approach doesn’t come cheap. The first step toward affordability is, of course, to consume less. Mending and repurposing are equally essential.

    If you do invest in a wool sweater, linen pants, or a pair of buckskin moccasins made ethically from the land and people of your region, you’re bound to hold that item dear and, chances are, it will be a very long time indeed before you toss it. Even then, it can return to the soil with no harm done.

    by Jackie Skrypnek

    Article Courtesy of Alive Magazine

  • Underwater gardens

    Underwater gardens

    Underwater gardens

    Advocates are taking seaforestation efforts into their own hands

    Nurturing seafood to grow

    The objective of “Chiix̱uu Tll iinasdll: Nurturing Seafood to Grow” project, an initiative aimed at restoring an area of kelp forest in Gwaii Haanas between 2017 and 2021, was collecting urchins to help rectify the area’s unbalanced food chain. Sea otters were important consumers of urchins before their local extinction during the maritime fur trade of the 18th and 19th centuries.

    Without predation, urchins have become hyperabundant, leading to the overgrazing of kelp, an important cultural resource to the Haida Nation, as well as an integral component of the world’s biodiversity and environment.

    Kelp lives near shorelines around the world and helps to nourish and house important underwater life. Much like forests on land, kelp’s photosynthesis process absorbs carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and phosphorous and releases oxygen—an important system in slowing the rate of climate change.

    But the Haida Nation isn’t the only area grappling with kelp loss. More than half of kelp forests worldwide have declined in the past 50 years, jeopardizing coastal biodiversity, water quality, and atmospheric carbon levels.

    An overlooked issue

    Underwater gardens are disappearing at alarming rates due to factors like habitat destruction, overharvesting and overgrazing, and pollution. Other challenges include climate change and sedimentation caused by runoff from deforestation, dredging, or storms. And, while ocean conservation has been around for decades, kelp preservation and restoration are relatively new.

    A 2021 paper published in the Frontiers in Marine Science journal measured the invisibility of kelp forests in international environmental governance. Researchers found that for every mention of kelp forests, seagrass meadows were mentioned seven times, salt marshes 20 times, coral reefs 38 times, and mangroves 43 times.

    A global call to action

    In 2023, The Kelp Forest Alliance launched the Kelp Forest Challenge, a global movement calling on everyone—from individuals to corporations and governments—to join the challenge of restoring 1 million hectares and protecting 3 million hectares of kelp forest habitat by 2040.

    Measures to restore and preserve kelp forests begin with the identification of their causes for decline. Controlling urchin populations or cleaning polluted water and sedimentation can help conserve threatened kelp, while seeding or transplanting baby kelp can aid in the growth of new forests.

    While countries like Japan and Korea have a long history of restoration efforts, and regions like California and Washington state are building conservation and restoration frameworks, to date, the Kelp Forest Challenge is the only conservation initiative that exists at an international level.

    An interconnected system

    In Haida Gwaii, the Haida Nation’s ethics and values serve as their guiding principles. Gina ‘waadluxan gud ad kwaagid, which means interconnectedness—an understanding that everything depends on everything else—serves as an important reminder about the biosphere’s fragility and vulnerability.

    by Alexa Everett

    Article Courtesy of Alive Magazine

  • Calling Dr. Tree, MD

    Calling Dr. Tree, MD

    Calling Dr. Tree, MD

    In 2023, health workers and volunteers planted more than 1,000 trees at Edmonton’s Grey Nuns Community Hospital. It’s all part of a nationwide movement to tap into one of the most well-documented forms of healing medicine: nature, green spaces, and forests.

    Trees are medicine

    Trees for Life, a national organization focused on creating a “healthier, happier Canada by planting native tress where we live, work, and play,” worked with the city in 2023 to plant nearly 20,000 trees across Edmonton, including the ones at Grey Nuns Hospital. Today, the hospital’s staff, patients, and the broader community have access to an enhanced public greenspace.

    It was the charity’s biggest tree-planting project in its history, but it wasn’t just about beautifying an urban space—it’s also the irrefutable evidence of how forests and nature improve every aspect of our general wellness and health.

    Take mental health, for instance. Researchers at Stanford University found that simply being exposed to nature decreased overall risks of mental illness.

    But that’s not all:

    • People with an office view of trees take fewer sick days and see a significant rise in productivity compared to those who don’t.
    • A systematic review of more than 50 different studies found that access to nature significantly reduced the odds of mortality from heart attacks and other cardiovascular diseases.
    • Hospital patients with a view of trees recover faster than patients who don’t have an outdoor view or who have a view but without trees.

    Experts say there may be many reasons for this since trees contribute numerous benefits, including increasing an area’s oxygen levels, muffling sound pollution, and creating cleaner air. While the underlying factors are multifaceted, the results are clear.

    And you can see that taking shape from coast to coast to coast.

    The growing movement to plant trees for health

    In 2023 alone, Trees for Life worked with 19 partners and 2,400 volunteers to plant 137,000 trees in Alberta, Ontario, and New Brunswick.

    Other organizations and projects include the Canadian Health Care Forests by the Canadian Coalition for Green Health Care; Trees for Hamilton, which recently worked with St. Joseph’s Urgent Care; and the City of London’s Million Tree Challenge, which has partnered with health care facilities like London Health Sciences Centre.

    From fewer hospital visits to lower reported stress and anxiety levels, these tree projects align perfectly with these hospitals’ goals. It’s a movement that continues to gain momentum to this day.

    by Joshua Duvauchelle

    Article Courtesy of Alive Magazine

  • Staying young with friends

    Staying young with friends

    Staying young with friends

    How social relationships can lead to better health outcomes

    An abundance of research indicates that the quality of our social relationships can play a critical role in our well-being as we age. The strength of our social ties may even have effects on our physical health, contributing to how well we age.

    Importance of meaningful relationships

    In an analysis of data from a longitudinal study, my colleagues and I found that individuals with greater social support and community cohesion experienced better mental health later in life, particularly amongst those who had had challenging childhoods.

    Among the resources examined, the quality, rather than the quantity, of these relationships was found to offset some of the negative experiences that participants had had in early life, leading to greater resilience and better mental health as they grew older.

    Functions of friendship

    A systematic review of adult friendship and well-being speaks to several important functions of close adult friendships, including three forms of social support:

    • Emotional support: friends offer acceptance, sympathy, love, and encouragement—a critical buffer against life’s stressors.
    • Instrumental support: friends may also provide practical help, such as financial assistance or help with daily tasks.
    • Informational support: friends share advice or guidance as a key function of friendship.

    And the six functional components that generally determine the quality of the relationship include the following:

    • Help, which includes the three aforementioned forms of social support.
    • Stimulating companionship, which involves participating in activities with another person.
    • Emotional security, in which close friends provide a sense of safety during new or challenging situations, thus reducing stress.
    • Reliable alliance, where trust and loyalty form the foundation of any deep friendship, making sure someone will always have your back.
    • Self-validation, where friends provide the reassurance and encouragement needed to maintain a positive self-image.
    • Intimacy, where the willingness to share personal thoughts and feelings builds a unique bond that is essential for emotional well-being.

    Health benefits of strong social relationships

    A recent study found that social isolation reduced physical activity levels in older adults, leading to diminished cognitive performance. This was especially evident in individuals over 65, with effects on memory and executive function. This research emphasizes that staying socially connected, either through direct interaction or through group activities, can significantly affect the physical and mental aspects of aging.

    Conversely, loneliness and social isolation have been linked to a higher risk of developing health issues such as cardiovascular disease, cognitive decline, and even premature mortality. Social isolation can reduce motivation for physical activity, and loneliness can increase stress levels, contributing to a range of health problems.

    Embrace and cultivate rich relationships

    Take this time to reflect on the people in your life. Which relationships bring you joy and fulfillment? Who can you reach out to today to make a positive connection? Whether it’s a close friend or a family member, deepening your social ties may bring health and happiness into your life.

    Healthy aging is more than a matter of diet and exercise—it’s also about keeping those rich relationships that help us bloom, even as we grow older.

    by Theodore D. Cosco, PhD (Cantab), CPsychol

    Article Courtesy of Alive Magazine