Challenges of the Knowledge Society (May 2018)
THE IMPACT OF SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS OVER HEALTH AND LONGEVITY. THE “BLUE ZONES” CASE.
Abstract
The present paper aims to analyze – both from a quantitative and a qualitative perspective – the impact of social relationships over health and longevity in contemporary society. Today human interaction is more and more facile thanks to the new technology development. However, despite this facility, many Western countries face the “loneliness epidemic”. Individual-centered cultures promote the atomizing of society to the detriment of strong and quality social relations. Insufficient social relationships and so much the more loneliness and social isolation - according to the psycho-social studies of Holt-Lunstad a.o. - negatively affect health state and significantly increase the risk of premature death. The impact of this risk is so serious that it surpasses the risks posed by most health indicators (food, exercise, etc.). In other words, the absence of social relationships and loneliness are enemies of health and longevity. The present paper aims to comparatively analyze the types of social relationships which one can find in the so-called “blue zones” (where it has been noticed that people have the highest longevity on Earth) in comparison with the Western ones. We intend to identify the differences between ,, the territories of longevity ‘' and Western world concerning the lifestyle, the frequency and quality of social relationships. What type of social relationships encourages a positive attitude towards life, gives life meaning, reduced risk-taking, sustain health and longevity.? In the conditions of recording - in Romania after 1989 - of a lack of frequency and quality of social relations with the consequences, the present paper wants to draw an alarm signal both for the governors and for the governors.
