Impact of Mental Health on Longevity: Benefits of Emotional Support
18th Jan 2025
How Emotional Support and Mental Health Shape Longevity and Ageing
It’s estimated that one third of people in industrialised societies suffer from loneliness. It’s also well known that mental health concerns, such as loneliness, are linked to higher rates of other mental health conditions, poor sleep, cardiovascular disease and, ultimately, early death.
A 1979 study showed that people with stronger social ties were significantly less likely to die earlier than those who didn’t. Importantly, these benefits weren’t tied to their initial health or habits like smoking or physical activity, showing the independent role of social connections in helping extend one’s lifespan.
Using that as a starter, let’s explore the benefits of emotional support on longevity.
Jump there now:
- Does Mental Health Affect Longevity?
- How Does Mental Health Affect Ageing?
- The Role of Social Support in Reducing Stress
- Neurobiology of Social Support
- The Link Between Physical and Mental Health
- Increased Social Support Needed in Society
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Mental health issues, such as stress and loneliness, are major public health concerns. For example, the World Health Organization (WHO) has equated loneliness to risks like smoking, obesity and physical inactivity.
But does mental illness shorten lifespan?
In terms of mental health and ageing, mental disorders also affect life expectancy. A meta-analysis of 109 research papers from 24 countries found that, on average, people with mental disorders lose 14.7 years of life compared to the general population.
Some other examples of mental health mortality rates found include substance use disorders, with approximately 20 years lost, followed by eating disorders (16 years), schizophrenia and personality disorders (12–15 years).
Life expectancy for individuals with mental disorders improved from 58.9 years (before 2001) to 73.8 years (after 2010), likely due to advances in treatment and early intervention programs, but the gap between people with mental disorders and the general population remains wide.
To close this gap, detailed and personalised strategies are needed. These include better management of mental and physical health, lifestyle interventions, reducing stigma around mental health and improving healthcare access.
Further Reading: Magnesium Glycinate and Anxiety
The impact of mental health on ageing is due to many factors. For example:
- Mitochondrial Health: Stress damages mitochondria, which provide energy to cells. Relaxation and mindfulness can help repair these effects, improving energy levels and cellular health.
- Telomere Length: Chronic stress shortens telomeres, the protective caps on DNA, speeding up cellular ageing. Lower stress levels are linked to slower telomere shortening, which promotes longevity.
- Inflammaging: Persistent low-grade inflammation due to stress speeding up ageing. This contributes to conditions like heart disease, diabetes and dementia.
- Cognitive Decline: Loneliness and lack of mental stimulation are linked to cognitive impairments while doing mentally stimulating activities protects brain health and lowers the risk of dementia.
Does anxiety shorten your life? Anxiety can raise cortisol levels, which lowers the immune system and affects heart health and can increase the risk of developing heart disease, stroke and hypertension, which may shorten your lifespan.
Further Reading: What are Telomeres?
Social ties help us stay healthy in multiple ways. They can provide practical help, like financial or emotional support, and encourage positive habits by reinforcing good behaviours.
Social relationships can also help against the harmful effects of stress on the body, a concept called the Stress-Buffering Hypothesis. This theory suggests that having supportive people around reduces the activation of stress-response systems in the brain and body, such as the release of stress hormones (like cortisol) and the fight-or-flight response.
Key studies show that close relationships, such as with a romantic partner or parent, no matter the age, can reduce the body’s stress responses during difficult situations. For example, the Trier Social Stress Test consistently demonstrates that people experience less cortisol (stress hormone) when supported by a loved one during public speaking or math challenges.
Studies show that children raised in loving and supportive families experience fewer negative effects of stress, even if they carry genetic risks for mental health issues. Also, adults with strong social networks have better heart health, lower inflammation and are less likely to be obese.
Does depression shorten life span? Depression and life expectancy can be explored through multiple areas, such as loneliness, as mentioned above, as well as the behaviours and lifestyle choices in which depressed individuals often participate. These may increase the risk of diseases such as lung disease, obesity, diabetes, cancer and coronary heart disease, which may shorten one’s lifespan.
Further Reading: How Singapore Became a Blue Zone
Stress activates the brain’s defence system, including areas like the amygdala and hypothalamus, which trigger the release of stress hormones and other changes to prepare the body for fight or flight.
Over time, prolonged activation can harm the cardiovascular system, immune system and mental health. Social support helps by telling the body it’s safe, calming these stress systems and promoting healthier responses.
- Heart and Nervous System: Research highlights the importance of balanced nervous system activity. Supportive environments encourage a calming, parasympathetic response, improving heart rate variability (HRV), which reflects good health and resilience to stress.
- Hormones: Oxytocin, a hormone linked to bonding, also plays a role. It’s released during positive interactions and can reduce stress hormone levels, especially in strong social connections.
- Immune System: Positive social experiences lower inflammation, while loneliness or negative social encounters can increase it, affecting overall health.
Further Reading: Ashwagandha and Longevity
A review of multiple studies found that emotional well-being can influence recovery and survival rates in people with physical illnesses like heart disease and cancer. Patients who start with higher levels of emotional well-being tend to recover better and live longer than those with lower levels, even years later. Although the effects are small, they are significant because these illnesses are common, meaning the overall population impact is substantial.
Along with all the studies above, it’s been found that having strong and secure relationships can increase longevity by about 50 per cent.
This shows the importance of creating social support not just for individuals but also within communities and societies. This involves improving emotional longevity by addressing loneliness, which is now a growing epidemic, particularly among older adults in developed countries. Large-scale interventions can include promoting social activities, creating inclusive communities and even using technology like online networks to build meaningful connections.
Trying to create emotional support for elderly citizens, whether it be through group community activities or visiting family, is important. For younger people, make time for family and friends and seek support if loneliness or stress becomes overwhelming.
End Note
Mental health and longevity are important areas governments and societies need to address. Humans are hardwired to seek and benefit from social connections, and science shows that meaningful relationships aren’t just good for the soul — they’re important for the body, too. Social support doesn’t just make life easier; it can literally help you live longer.
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