CCC 28-2_LR

NEWS & NOTES

WANT TO BE A SUPER-AGER? FOCUS ON YOUR RELATIONSHIPS According to the Harvard Study of Adult Development , the leading indicator of a lengthy, robust life is not biologi cal, but social. Staying connected with friends promotes healthy aging and continued learning. Research indicates a convincing link between maintaining an active brain and cognitive functioning well into old age. One study found that simply enrolling in a class to learn a new skill or hobby boosted brain performance to levels comparable to those of people 30 years younger. Kasley Killam, a Harvard trained social scientist, proposes the “5-3-1 rule”: connect with five different people each week—whether that’s a gym partner, a book club friend, or the person sitting in the next pew at church. Invest in three close relationships, typically family members or dear friends, by nurturing those deeper bonds. Finally, aim for one hour of social interaction each

day. This does not have to be continuous; it can be broken into short moments throughout the day. Social time can also be paired with other activities, such as walking the dog with a neighbor. Even a simple phone conversation can have a greater impact than many people realize. 1 PARENTS ARE DEEPLY CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR TEENS’ MENTAL HEALTH Today’s young people are shouldering heavier emotional burdens than previous generations. Parents consistently rank anxiety, depression, and loneliness among their greatest concerns for their teens, yet many feel uncertain about how to help—or when to seek professional sup port. Still, research from the Pew study offers a hopeful message: a warm, consistent parent-child relationship remains one of the most powerful protections against mental health challenges. 2

THESE TRENDS, FACTS, AND EMERGING REALITIES ARE INFLUENCING YOU AND YOUR CLIENTS’ WORLD TODAY!

34 Christian Counseling Connection