Deans' stroke musings: Experts link kindness, friendship to better health and longer life

Changing stroke rehab and research worldwide now.Time is Brain! trillions and trillions of neurons that DIE each day because there are NO effective hyperacute therapies besides tPA(only 12% effective). I have 523 posts on hyperacute therapy, enough for researchers to spend decades proving them out. These are my personal ideas and blog on stroke rehabilitation and stroke research. Do not attempt any of these without checking with your medical provider. Unless you join me in agitating, when you need these therapies they won't be there.

What this blog is for:

My blog is not to help survivors recover, it is to have the 10 million yearly stroke survivors light fires underneath their doctors, stroke hospitals and stroke researchers to get stroke solved. 100% recovery. The stroke medical world is completely failing at that goal, they don't even have it as a goal. Shortly after getting out of the hospital and getting NO information on the process or protocols of stroke rehabilitation and recovery I started searching on the internet and found that no other survivor received useful information. This is an attempt to cover all stroke rehabilitation information that should be readily available to survivors so they can talk with informed knowledge to their medical staff. It lays out what needs to be done to get stroke survivors closer to 100% recovery. It's quite disgusting that this information is not available from every stroke association and doctors group.

Monday, September 28, 2026

Experts link kindness, friendship to better health and longer life

My social connections/friendships are extensive after dumping the ex and moving to Michigan. I've got this covered.

Experts link kindness, friendship to better health and longer life

Why connection matters: Studies link strong social ties to longer life, reduced disease risk, and better mental health, rivaling benefits of diet and exercise.

Friendship as remedy: Supportive friendships especially help childless older adults and can ease loneliness more than self-care, research shows.

Practical solutions grow: Apps, community frameworks, and small acts of kindness are being deployed to foster belonging and combat isolation.

References

How a UCLA professor uncovered the science behind loneliness | UCLA | ucla.edu
Dr. Julianne Holt-Lunstad | julianneholtlunstad.com
Friendship can be an important lifeline for older adults without children | Medical Xpress
Loneliness, friendship and the secret to living longer in America | Thy Black Man
This is the biggest lifestyle change a longevity expert has made to his life to increase his chances of living longer | Fit&Well
What’s the secret to a longer life? Experts say this is the single best thing you can do. | HuffPost
A Sociologist’s Six Essential Tips for College Friendships | Faculty of Arts and Sciences | fas.dartmouth.edu
U. alum launches new app to increase social connection on campuses worldwide - The Daily Targum | Daily Targum
Epley Reveals the Power of Friendship in New Documentary - Roman Family Center | Chicago Booth | chicagobooth.edu
UCLA partners with professor-designed friendship app to combat student loneliness - Daily Bruin | dailybruin.com
10 stories that show kindness and empathy can reach someone even when loneliness makes them feel invisible | Bright Side
13 moments of wisdom that prove loneliness teaches us the value of kindness | 5-Minute Crafts
Beyond loneliness and social isolation: Why belonging matters for public health - Healthy Debate | Healthy Debate

Lack of social connection linked to increased risks of heart disease, dementia, and early death

According to Dr. Julianne Holt-Lunstad, lacking social connection is associated with higher risks of developing heart disease, dementia, and experiencing premature death. These associations highlight the serious health consequences of social isolation.

References

How a UCLA professor uncovered the science behind loneliness | UCLA | ucla.edu
Dr. Julianne Holt-Lunstad | julianneholtlunstad.com

Longevity researchers link strong social ties to prevention of age-related diseases

Longevity researchers, including Dr. Matt Kaeberlein, emphasize that maintaining strong social connections can help prevent age-related diseases. This underscores the health-protective effects of social relationships in later life.

References

Friendship can be an important lifeline for older adults without children | Medical Xpress
Loneliness, friendship and the secret to living longer in America | Thy Black Man
This is the biggest lifestyle change a longevity expert has made to his life to increase his chances of living longer | Fit&Well

Anecdotal evidence from rural communities on daily social rituals and longevity

©Photo by Fan Xiaoheng/China News Service/VCG via Getty Images. XINXIANG, CHINA - SEPTEMBER 08: Villagers play chess outdoors on September 8, 2026 in Xinxiang, Henan Province of China. The village has improved public service facilities including education, healthcare, elderly care and culture while developing its collective economy and specialty industries. (Photo by Fan Xiaoheng/China News Service/VCG via Getty Images)

Observations from rural communities indicate that daily social rituals among residents may contribute to exceptional longevity. These rituals provide consistent opportunities for social interaction and support.

References

Potential to build strong social ties later in life

Experts note that it is never too late for individuals to develop strong social connections. This suggests that even in later stages of life, building friendships can contribute to improved well-being and health.

References

University of New Hampshire study on friendship and loneliness in childless older adults

©Photo by Maxine Wallace/The Washington Post via Getty Images. WASHINGTON,DC - MAY 5: Carlene Meheux (left), 39, and Tuere Marshall (right), 74, hold hands as they sit in the courtyard of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library on Tuesday May 5, 2026 in Washington, DC. The friendship bench connects older adults with young people who are seeking a listening ear and companionship. (Photo by Maxine Wallace/The Washington Post via Getty Images)

Research from the University of New Hampshire found that childless older adults with strong friendships experience a 20% greater reduction in loneliness compared to parents who have similar levels of social support. This suggests that friendships can play a particularly significant role in mitigating loneliness for older adults without children.

References

Loneliness as a public health crisis

The accounts and framework discussions frame loneliness as a public health crisis. This characterization emphasizes the widespread and serious nature of social isolation, requiring coordinated community-level interventions. Recognizing loneliness in this way elevates its importance in policy and social discourse.

References

10 stories that show kindness and empathy can reach someone even when loneliness makes them feel invisible | Bright Side
13 moments of wisdom that prove loneliness teaches us the value of kindness | 5-Minute Crafts
Beyond loneliness and social isolation: Why belonging matters for public health - Healthy Debate | Healthy Debate

Impact of small acts of kindness on social isolation

©Photo by Sebastian Gollnow/picture alliance via Getty Images. 22 December 2021, Hessen, Frankfurt/Main: Kristina Gerstenberger (l), volunteer of Malteser Hilfsdienst, and senior Helga chat over coffee and cake during a visit in the living room. Photo: Sebastian Gollnow/dpa (Photo by Sebastian Gollnow/picture alliance via Getty Images)

Personal accounts describe how small acts of kindness, such as a waiter showing empathy or receiving anonymous gifts, can disrupt feelings of isolation. These gestures create lasting bonds and help individuals feel seen and valued. Such acts demonstrate the power of interpersonal connection in countering loneliness.

References

Kindness as a bridge across social divides

Stories highlight that kindness and shared humanity can bridge divides between people from different backgrounds. Acts of empathy can foster connections even when individuals feel invisible due to loneliness. These connections can counteract the fragmentation of communities.

References

10 stories that show kindness and empathy can reach someone even when loneliness makes them feel invisible | Bright Side
Beyond loneliness and social isolation: Why belonging matters for public health - Healthy Debate | Healthy Debate

Deep conversations and small social moments enhance connection

Marisa Franco and Nicholas Epley suggest that engaging in deep conversations and seizing small social moments can significantly enhance interpersonal connections. These actions counteract the common underestimation of others’ willingness to connect.

References

What’s the secret to a longer life? Experts say this is the single best thing you can do. | HuffPost
A Sociologist’s Six Essential Tips for College Friendships | Faculty of Arts and Sciences | fas.dartmouth.edu
U. alum launches new app to increase social connection on campuses worldwide - The Daily Targum | Daily Targum
Epley Reveals the Power of Friendship in New Documentary - Roman Family Center | Chicago Booth | chicagobooth.edu

Encouragement to seize small social moments

Experts suggest taking advantage of small, everyday social opportunities to connect with others. This practice helps counteract the common underestimation of others’ openness to interaction.

References

Marisa Franco's recommendation to reconnect with old friends

The stroke caused me to reconnect with old college friends

Marisa Franco advises individuals to reach out to old friends as a practical strategy for building connections. This approach is intended to counteract the tendency to underestimate others’ openness to reconnect. Reestablishing past relationships can help strengthen social bonds and reduce feelings of isolation.

References