Everybody wants to live a long and happy life. We do this in many ways, such as by eating healthy, getting exercise, and calling up a friend for a laugh once in a while. Some people swear by green smoothies and others by doing yoga.
But there is an even more fun way to extend your lifespan. Grandparents, listen up!
Happy and healthy
If you are a grandparent and you babysit your grandkids, chances are you look forward to it for the funny things the kids say and do, and you love how they come running up with excitement about seeing you again. You get to take them fun places and spoil them, and they get to enjoy some fun.
It’s a great way to get to really know the youngest members of the family. But did you know that babysitting them might just help you live longer too?
There is a study that was published in the journal Evolution and Human Behavior. This study examined data from the Berlin Aging Study with a focus on 500 people aged 70 and up.
It showed that senior citizens who provided some sort of care to a child had a lower risk of dying over a 20-year period, as opposed to their counterparts who did NOT watch over a youngster. Babysitting grandkids can add to your lifespan!
Although, it is important to note that grandparents who provide primary care to their grand kids were not included in the study.
One doctor at the world-famous Cleveland Clinic, Dr. Ronan Factora, stated that,
“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.”
The doctor then went on to remind us all of the importance of staying physically active as you get older, as well as how important it is to stay socially engaged and cognitively stimulated as we age.
While many of those who are grandparents might not work any longer, they still like to keep busy and feel needed in the world. This is a great way to do it!
The science
To sweeten the deal, a study out of Australia found that just a moderate amount of time spent babysitting grand kids could aid in the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease. This is believed to happen because babysitting kids boosts your brain power and lowers your chances of developing depression.
It is important not to take it too far. Balance your babysitting so that you do not feel overly stressed out. You could end up devoting too much energy to the cause, which will just leave you feeling tired and worn out. Do not do so much that you inadvertently harm yourself.
So, the next time your grand kids want to come over, and your son or daughter just needs a break, take them up on the offer. You will get some good laughs out of the deal, because kids are a riot, and you can look forward to some more years and greater memory power.
Plus, kids showing you the latest video game victory they completed or the newest book they are reading keeps you engaged and in the know about what young people are into. It’s a win-win situation for everybody!
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