Study: Avoiding Family During the Holidays Can Lead to An Early Death
Everybody’s favorite part of the holidays is spending time with family and friends. It’s the best part and we all look forward to it every year. It’s not the food or presents. My wife and I always dream of mingling with the family members that get on our nerves. Our kids always say that talking to grown-ups is the most fun they have during the Christmas get-togethers.
That’s a lie and you know it.
Most people have a least one or two or ten relatives that drive them crazy. They dread spending time with the “political talker,” the “wet kisser,” or the “cheek pincher.”
Family Visits Are Good for Your Health
If you’re not looking forward to seeing family and friends over the holidays, you might want to change your attitude. Researchers say they’ve learned that those visits may be saving your life.
That’s the results from a new study out of Scotland, which found a direct connection between social isolation and death.
Study Results
The researchers found a 39% increase in the risk of death for individuals who never received visits from friends or family.
The research shows that “Friends/family visit frequencies less than monthly were associated with a higher risk of mortality indicating a threshold effect.” Their claim is based on data from 458,146 participants in the UK Biobank project.
Even those who got out of the house to attend a group activity were still affected. Actually, it was found to be worse if they were still isolated from their loved ones. Their elevated risk of death was one percentage point higher than those who lived completely isolated and did not attend outside group activities.
The researcher said that even if you live alone and live a healthy lifestyle, “Never having friends or family visits whilst living alone potentially counteracted benefits” of your healthy lifestyle.
It doesn’t take much to live a longer life. Even occasional visits from friends or family as little as once a month would help. These few visits could have a positive impact on your health and significantly reduce your risk of death.
How do you feel now about those dinner table debates?
4 Great Christmas Dinner Options For The Whole Family
Lasagna
A large tray of a baked pasta based meal that everyone gets to cut into just feels like a natural option. There’s room here to customize your tray of course. Add meat, make it a veggie, or have one of each. Plus, the red sauce nicely compliments your holiday-themed table setting.
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Filet Mignon
We’ll need to clarify here, your best bet here is a log shaped filet that can be evenly cut into quarter inch – to half inch slices. There’s something festive to carving a meal item in your kitchen, that is freshly cooked. You take pride in hosting and then slicing. You place your sliced filet on that serving platter that is used just once a year, walk it into the dining room and then feel joy when everyone digs in.
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Vegetarian Chili Bar
It’s all about the slow-cooker or crock pot. You can let it warm in the kitchen all day, allowing a sharp aroma to seep into every room the family gathers in. This style is for more of the grab something quick and on-the-go Christmas meal gathering. Perhaps you have people in and out of your house, stopping by for a “cheers” throughout the day. A chili bar never disappoints. Add in your side bowls of shredded cheddar, tortilla crisps, scallions, and sour cream, and you are giving your guests the opportunity to put their own touch on your creation.
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Baked Ham
This is the meal that gives you the option for a fancier sit-down dinner. The ham centerpiece is typically joined by elegant wine glasses and pre-feast toast. Throw some potato side dishes along with an asparagus or string bean casserole, and your living room is now a fine-dining restaurant. This meal allows you to take your time. The next thing you know, it’s dark outside, and you are putting a bow on your enjoyable Christmas night.
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