Scientists discovered that caring people live longer. Those who help their family and care for others are more likely to reach an advanced age.

So, if you want to live a long life, think of ways to care for others—family, grandchildren, or assisting the community. You will not only feel happier but also have a higher chance to achieve longevity, researchers insist.

Why do caring people live longer?

A team of researchers from Switzerland, Australia, and Germany studied data on life expectancy of 500 people aged 70-103 years. The information was collected over 20 year period from 1990 to 2009.

• The scientists focused their attention on elderly people involved in taking care of their grandkids.
• Researchers also analyzed data on elders without kids who provided support to others, Science Daily reports.

The findings were startling. Half of the senior citizens involved in caring for grandkids were still alive in 2009. The same applied to elders who didn’t have grandkids but helped their children, for instance, around the house. Those who were not involved in assisting others died on average within 5 years into the research.

It is a sad reality that living life alone seems to cause premature departures. Caring for others, however, gives one purpose in life and helps to stay active both physically and mentally.

Altruists survive better

Moreover, the study has proven that helping others contributes to longevity regardless of the degree of kinship. Childless people who were supportive and helped others also tended to enjoy a longer life. Half of them lived for another 7 years (on average) after the first data polling, while the ones who didn’t  assist community or family died 3 years earlier.

However,  excessive involvement in caring for others may cause stress for seniors and have the reverse effect on longevity, academics state.

The scientists suggest that supportive behavior originated in family setups during human history. The chief author of the study Sonja Hilbrand says it is likely that taking care of close relatives in families had an impact on the neural and hormonal system of humans, which formed the basis for spreading of the altruistic behavior towards unrelated people.

Now you know: Having someone to care about is important to enjoy life into your older years.

Isn’t it what finding a loving family-oriented partner is all about? Russian, Ukrainian women are highly family oriented. Even if you are not planning to have any more kids, there are many ladies with kids, from young toddlers to teens, who dream of finding a loving partner and a kind step-father for their children. You may have an instant family straight away!

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• Bad relationships affect your health — Research
• Unhealthy habits steal 6 years of your life: How lack of exercise, bad food, cigarettes, and excess alcohol affect you