Grandparents who care for their grandchildren live longer

Being with grandparents, a beautiful habit that, by now it is certain, is good for children, making them happier and safer. But research has shown that grandparents also benefit from health, with a longer life expectancy.

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This was revealed by a study conducted by doctors at the Cleveland Clinic, according to which babysitting grandparents can actually live longer than other elderly people.

“We know that as you get older, you want to stay physically active, you want to stay socially engaged, you want to be cognitively stimulated; and all of these things allow you to age well, ”said Dr. Ronan Factora.

The researchers looked at data from more than 500 people aged 70 and over who took part in the aging study in Berlin.

They found that seniors who cared for, both babysitting grandchildren and others, had a lower risk of dying over a 20-year period than those who did not.

“There is a link between providing this cure and reducing stress and we know the relationship between stress and the increased risk of dying. If providing care for grandchildren and others in need is a way to reduce stress, then these activities should be beneficial for grandparents, ”she continues.

But not only. So-called caregiving can also be physically demanding and this helps to keep the body young, clearly in moderation and without falling into the opposite excess.

Taking care of grandchildren is good for the body but above all for the mind, because in addition to keeping stress away, it helps the elderly to increase their social interactions, the key to keeping the brain healthy.

Loneliness, especially at a certain age, is almost as dangerous as a disease. What better care than that offered by the company and pampering of the grandchildren?

The study was published in Evolution and Human Behavior.

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