In recent years many people around the world have started a quest to find the truth about longevity. But, what counts a quality life and a long one for that matter? Many would agree that it all begins with happiness and gratitude. Having your most loved ones around, knowing everyone is in good health, and joyful can be rejuvenating to the body and mind.
So, when you live a fulfilled life, surrounded by the people you care and love, longevity indeed is on your side. For elders, spending time with their family, mainly their grandkids can have a profound effect on the essence of life. In addition, recent studies urge that by spending time with your grandchildren extends your time on this earth, too.
How does a grandparent increase longevity by spending time with their grandchildren? Continue reading.
It’s about the purity of happiness.
Grandparents love spending time with their grandchildren because the atmosphere is stress-free. Kids are bubbly and lovely and like to play around and have fun. At the same time, who doesn’t like spending their weekends at grandma and grandpa’s house, don’t they?
The rejuvenation children offer, without wanting anything in return is reviving to seniors. This is why a lot families decide to give grandparents yet another purpose – babysitting.
In fact, a recent investigation in the field affirmed just that. The study included around 500 participants, all of whom were over 70.
The study concluded that elders who look after a child, decrease their odds of getting ill in the next two decades, unlike those who did not spend quality time with their grandchild. Do you want to live longer? Hang out the youngsters!
According to Dr Ronan Factora, an expert at the Cleveland Clinic,
“There is a link between providing this care and reducing stress. If providing this care to [grand kids] and others…is one way that we can actually reduce stress, then these activities should be of benefit to folks who are grandparents and provide this care.”
Dr Factora additionally explained that physical activity is a must, especially in the elderly. The same is true for correlating with people and keeping a dynamic social life.
A different study, conducted out in Australia, recommends that even the shortest time spent with grandchildren can positively affect the mood, vitality, and memory in seniors. Having said that, bonding with your grandkids significantly decreases the risks of suffering Alzheimer’s. One of the reasons for this is because babies and toddlers mainly stimulate brain function in seniors, therefore eliminating depression.
However, babysitting grandparents should not go overboard with the experience. It is always good to maintain a balance to regenerate, exercise, read and live life to the fullest. But, feeling alive and beating once again is something worth experiencing.
So, pick up the phone, call your loved ones and spend some time hanging out with your grandkids. Whatever the activity is you will find yourself at ease and relaxed.
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So so true. I am almost 73 years old and besides babysitting for my two small grandchildren, as a reading specialist, I continue to teach more than fifteen hours a week. Working one-on-one, the children, who are seven to seventeen years old, and I have a wonderful time as we work together. Even on challenging days, I leave school feeling Happy and energized.
What about great grandmas? I am 61 and I baby sat both of my great grandsons one is going on 5 the other I baby sit now is going on 2 and I have a great granddaughter non the way 💟💓👏😁☺✌
YOU ARE A GREAT GRANDMA…YOU ARE MY AGE..I AM SO PROUD FOR YOU.
YOUR GRANDS ARE VERY LUCKY TO HAVE SUCH A GROOVY GRANDMA.
I GUARANTEE YOU WILL BE AN AMAZING INFLUENCE IN THEIR LIVES.
Is this true for grandparents that have the grandson’s lives with them too? He is 4 years old and a joy for me but it is very sad too cause his parents are on drugs. I will not let his parents see him until they are clean and have a job too. But my grandson is very happy and can be a kid again.
You’re a great loving grandma and I commend you for doing this! God bless you abundantly.
I love being with my grandchildren; however, after playing with them some, I tend to work on keeping the house clean, doing dishes, laundry, since my daughter works full-time and dad may be traveling. That puts a damper on how I feel about watching my grandkids. Is this a problem for anyone else? Should I just forgo cleaning the house and sit around with my grandkids? Sometimes they do help me tidy up their rooms. Ages eight, five, and 22 months.