It’s Christmas Day today. A time of love and connection, compassion and giving. It’s the day (or days, before, depending on tradition) families all over the world sit down together, eat good food and exchange gifts as a sign of their love and affection for each other.
But did you know that this feeling of compassion and connection is probably more powerful to fight diseases than all the world’s medications put together? And this is no mumbo jumbo. It has all been scientifically proven.
So please take a few minutes to read the rest of this article and share with us how you think we can improve positive connection and combat diseases…
Even if this case has been featured in many books and articles, there is no way to discuss the health benefits of human connections without beginning with the true story of the town of Roseto. This small Italian immigrant town created big fuss in the medical community in the 1960s.
When researchers began to go over death records from this little town, they discovered that people generally didn’t die of diseases but of old age. Heart attacks were especially rare. In fact, there were no records of ANYONE under the age of 45 ever dying of heart attack.
What was even more astonishing was people in Roseto didn’t live a very healthy lifestyle. They smoked, drank, ate and worked hard. Low cholesterol diets didn’t exist in their vocabulary. And the pollution from working in the slate quarries should have been enough to destroy even the toughest hearts.
But it didn’t!
What the people of Roseto had was an extremely strong family and society connection. They took the time to stop and talk and smile and shake hands as they walked through the town. If someone got sick or came upon hard time, he or she could rely on the neighbors to help. Thefts and crimes were literally non-existant. There was not a single case of burglary reported in anywhere.
They had connection, and that connection kept them healthy.
Sadly, as the Roseto community “developed,” so did the modern diseases. In the 1980s, the little town of Roseto had ‘Americanized’ and heart attacks had become just as common as anywhere else.
Many other close communities have a similar health structure. The traditional Amish community, for example, has only half the cancer risk of the average American, lower cholesterol, less diabetes and some Amish communities are even seen to be immune to heart attacks.
Several studies have revealed that married people, especially married men, live longer and suffer less diseases than those who’re not married.
Other studies show that people who get divorced have 20% more chronic health conditions such as cancer and heart diseases and type 2 diabetes. What’s more, even after people move on and get remarried, the chronic disease rate is still 12% higher.
This shows how much the lingering and chronic stress of separation and disconnection from those we love can negatively impact our health.
There are finally numerous studies that show that people who develop life-threatening diseases have a much greater chance of overcoming any health problems if they have a strong base of supporting friends and family.
There is an old Jewish story about a Rabbi who visited hell. He saw people sitting there on two sides of a long table with the most delicious bowl of soup in front of each and every one and spoon in hand. But their arms were splinted on wooden slats so they couldn’t bend their elbow and enjoy the soup. Everyone was pale and miserable. Then he visited heaven and surprisingly the scenery was exactly the same except that there, everyone was feeding the person across from them so now they were enjoying the soup and connection with smile and laughter.
Human connection is free. It has no negative side-effects and may actually be quite pleasurable from time to time.
So I encourage you this Christmas to reach out and connect. It could not only save your life, but imagine that you could also be saving someone else’s.
This article was originally published here on Christmas 2011. I thought the message was so important that I couldn’t resist republishing it again now. Please add to the connecting comments bellow.
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Enjoyed your article. I truly do believe in human connection, sharing, giving, etc., but wanted to add that I believe forgiveness is one of the greatest ways to heal and the greatest prevention for disease. I just read on your Facebook a comment one of your readers wrote about LOVE. VERY TRUE! Forgiveness is part of LOVE! Love is patience, kindness, generosity, humility, courtesy, unselfishness, good temper, guilelessness, and sincerity. We can all connect, but if we don’t connect in LOVE, there will still be illness and disease. At Christmas, most people give out of obligation … not out of LOVE! How many people use the word LOVE, but have no idea what the components are! If Christmas is about love, then why are there more heart attacks at this time of year than any other? Why is there more domestic violence at this time of year? And if Christmas is about love, then why is it a stressfull time for most people?
I am not allowed by my husband to see other people at home.
yes, it’s true that family connection are fine to have. The feeling of love genorisity,peace,joy etc. This connection is not just for christmas,it is for all time.We need to recognize that we need each other, not just family,but friends, relatives,communities as well. That way we all can be connected to one another.No one is isolated.So if we are to follow goodwill to all, then need to love those less loved.We are capable of giving & sharing with humility, patience & forgiveness.When we are happy the Immune system is happy, it will not develop any kind of dis-eases in our bodies,it won’t work against us, it will work with us.
Hello Ms. Frederick,
Just in response to your question about Christmastime being a stressful time for most people, I (as one of those people) can only say that for me, since I am usually living a kind of routinized life which tends to normalize my own emotional climate, holiday time is stressful because my routine activities are mostly suspended during this time. Have a great holiday!
Regards,
Mike T.
I’ve sort of heard that before; when Italian single men went to live in America they were much more likely to have a heart attack than those who stayed behind.
Loved the story about co-operation. Neat
Put me down as a ‘like’!
Regards
John Miller
I concur with the article, i am a Hospital Chaplain also a Ordained priest. I am trained in Pastoral care which mostly means listening and reflecting back what they are saying. Resolution is always theirs, our task is to be compassionate and empathetic. I still am surprised when people are so grateful. You are right, people don’t stop to listen anymore!!
I totally agree with this article.and should really apply it to my life.
This, like many of your emails, is very positive. Love becomes a problem when we find ourselves judging. This makes it harder to exercise true love, often because our judgemental decision is not based on all the relevant facts. Forgiving and tolerant Love is urgently needed in all our dealings. Blessings to all and a healthy, happy 2012 to everyone.
you are absolutely correct.I have not been married all my life .Long to have a true friend and husband. I do have a friend who does not even care for me.I am just hand=ging in ,because it is better to be with some one than no body. No phone calls or even presents. I do all the calling and giving of presents . I care deeply for him.
all the rejection from my trobled family over the years .The marital problems my parents had . The intense rejection from my father and later in life by male frineds has had it’s toll omn me.
This present friend has really hurt me.I am so ill with pneumonia for months .
You want to know about family connection. I was in bed for Christmas and New year.
WOW! All of your articles are Soooo good.
thank you
It is very useful information.
I thought as much.what a useful information.
They say 'God is Love,' that love is the most powerful force in life. For those who have lived long enough, they will have experienced that love is a great emotion, and used wisely, it always works for the good of self and others.
A dictionary definition of love is; "A feeling of warm personal affection or deep attachment, as for a friend, for a parent or child. Also the benevolent affection for God, for his creatures, that strong or passionate affection for a person of the opposite sex. One of the synonyms for love is 'devotion.' ".
In a world where love seems to have lost its way, we can see the affect it has on individuals, families, communities, nations, a world. This has caused untold emotional, mental, and physical health problems, for no one is untouched by a world filled with so many problems. A system has been cultivated, that, like the food it grows and processes and chemicalises to the detriment of us all, it also poisons the natural relationships that make for a good marriage, good close knit families, neighbourlyness. For those who see this, they, like those who have taken upon themselves to be selective in what they eat, and where their food comes from, so that they minimise the adverse effects of a system that pollutes virtually everything it touches, thereby protecting their loved ones and self from those pollutants that would affect them health wise. So they must act similiarly in their use of their mental, emotional, and affectionate persona that is embodied in us all. We should learn from those who we see have been more successful in having a long and proven loving marriage, family, and friends. We should ask what are our priorities, what is important to us, what is the purpose of this brief life of ours. To love life, is to consult the true interests of living, and where would we find that? As said earlier, 'God is Love' I would think he should know more about it than anyone, but how many consult him? Is that not why the world is the way it is, because they are all looking in the wrong direction? It is interesting that of the Ten Commandments the first commandment is to Love God, with all one's heart, mind, body, and soul. When one thinks about that, surely it would go a long way in curing many of our own personal problems.
Sadly, humankind in general expresses love in a misguided, unnatural, twisted way, leading to all kinds of mental, and emotional problems.
True love is long suffering and kind, it is not jealous, does not behave indecently, does not look for its own interests, does not become provoked, bears all things, does not keep account of the injury, hopes all things, endures all things, love never fails.(1Cor.8-13) The greatest dmonstration of love given to man to learn from, and follow, is that of Jesus Christ.
A man full of leprosy fell upon his face before Jesus and begged, "Lord if 'you want to' you can make me clean," and Jesus said, "I want to." And immediately the leprosy vanished from him. (Luke 5 v 12/13) We are all touched by the leprosy of this life in one way or another. The beauty is, there is a cure.
Wonderful but factually correct. All Indian Religions preach compassion – focal point of our spiritual life. We need to be practical on compassion, sympathy, love and affection. And spread a word across around us all.
so true
I have a negitive ,prejidist,mean mother. Because of her evilness i have stopped my visits. Mind you this has escalated over 20 yrs of loving her and caring for her needs. Christmas Day 5 days left till the New Year. Put her in my life today or out. If anyone knows evil they will answer this constrictivley. Thank you.
Aunt Fern, blessings and love to you! 🙂
Wonderful article, compassion and caring for others always seems to benefit me greatly.
Amazingly simple way to receive blessings, no cost to receiver, no cost to giver…
Thank you for the work you do. I know many benefit from your articles.
This article is great. I’ve read through all the comments and find it SO sad that some of you don’t have friends or relations. Could you join some sort of club?
I am so blessed to have my caring husband and loving family and friends.
A big hug to you all. Hang in there. Surely someone must love you.
Marilyn, I too have come across someone who was evil. Her actions (over a period of time) made me VERY ill so I do understand. You have done the best thing by avoiding her. I was fortunate that I had the support of my family to help me recover.
I too have come across someone who was evil. Her actions (over a period of time) caused me to become VERY ill so I do understand. You have done the best thing by avoiding her, but oh, how it must hurt. I was fortunate that I had the support of my family to help me recover.
Words, words, words. Someone CAN know love, without knowing “components”! Love is Simple. Love is love. If it hurts, is it love? Too many words . . .gravely contemplating, georgia
I canada I the hercal or homeopatiee natupatiee I good in tomorow I re.
BRAINSTARTS
christmas is a pagan religious rite, so sad so-called christian religions celebrate christmas, 25th december was worship of god Mithra, the sun god, and the churches allowed the pagan ritual in and adapted to the birth of Christ. The Bible give the date of Jesus death and when you count back he was born in October, its his death we were commanded to remember. LOVE and compassion should be everyday, get out of any religion that supports war and killing, find the true god who said you will know my disciples by the love they have for one another.
Your articles are awe-inspiring, I read them every day and there is always something for me to learn, or something for my blood pressure it just blows my mind that you are a wealth of knowledge and you share it with everyone. May you Have long life and all blessings be with you.
Kathleen
Share and expect nothing as the feeling of caring is yours alone to give and enjoy your touch of connection. Expect something and disappointment is an empty feeling of selfishness to manipulate. Is it love or manipulation? Face it to understand yourself. True connection is not always returned, to forgive and let go, to not expect even a thank you, as it was given freely from your heart, with a feeling of love(goodwill. Only you can rob yourself of your good feeling of reaching out.
When you feel so lonely and alone, remember that some one loves you like no one else, His name is JESUS CHRIST. Join your local church, involve your self in Church activities. Its one of the easiest ways to share love. It also frees your mind, wipes your sorrow and ultimately helps you value your purpose for existence. You have love by loving oters. Remember that CHRIST Himself is love.
good article that can heal depravity.it is good to reach out to others and be of helping hand.
It is true, to love your neighbour as yourself, is compulsory. We have to love one another by force.
Don't visit, for self-protection, but stay in touch. Don't expect anything……
You must first understand that if “God/Source” did not create It, it is not real even if you believe in it. Love/God/Source did not make sickness, death or dis-ease so it does not exist. Before you “judge” remember One of the Greatest Teachers that ever lived told you, “Judge not lest you be judged.” He taught this so that you beging to understand that the intellect (ego mind), that Jesus called the devil, Knows nothing, and must “believe” to be comfortable in it’s reality.
Sickness is caused by fear. Fear is a result of unconscious guilt projected onto God. You feel guilty sometimes and do not even know why. If your religious and it does not matter the christian sect you follow or “believe” in, You were taught and told then believed God killed His Son for you to live and not have to spen an eternity in an eternal inferno. I know this sounds insane but people do believe that God is this diabolical, evil and insane.
“No one ever believes they have been brainwashed. Christian revivalism started this process in the eighteenth century, with (The King James Version), by inducing guilt, acute apprehension, and by increasing tension, they intentionally break down the “sinners” to completely submit to the “new plan.” They wipe the brain slate clean so that the mind accepts new programming. Conversion is just a nice word for brainwashing.”
You never need be sick again. No One you personally know follows the teachings of Jesus…..
I will close with this, if you want to “Know the Truth that will set your mind free.”
*FORGIVE everyOne no matter what
*Judge No One ever No Matter what
and lastly,
“Give No thought for tomorrow” and you too will See that Beliefs are wickedly introduced by a mind that does not understand the true nature of reality!
Love and eternal Peace,
david Winter
More at: http://www.davidwinter.wordpress.com