When people feel chronically unsafe, rejected, lonely, or unsupported, the brain may interpret the situation as an ongoing threat. This can activate the sympathetic ner- vous system and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal, or HPA, axis—the body’s central stress-response network. Over time, disrupted stress signaling may contribute to poor sleep, unhealthy eating, reduced physical activity, insulin resistance, elevated blood pressure, immune dysregulation, and persistent inflammation. Social disconnection may therefore become one con- tributor within a larger network of chronic-disease risk. Research has linked loneliness and social isolation with cardiovascular disease, premature mortality, and dementia. These findings show associations; they do not prove that relationships alone prevent disease. Still, the overall message is increasingly difficult to ignore: social health is part of physical health. Relationships Support Both Lifespan and Healthspan Longevity has two important dimensions: lifespan, the number of years we live, and healthspan, the years we remain healthy and functional. Good relationships may support both. A trusted friend may encourage us to see a physician when symptoms appear. A spouse may notice changes in memory or mood. Friends can make walking, exercising, cooking, and traveling more enjoy- able. Social belonging gives people reasons to maintain routines, leave the house, remain curious, and recover after illness. 当一个人长期感到不安全、被拒绝、孤独或缺乏支持时，大脑可能会 将这种状态解读为一种持续存在的威胁。由此，交感神经系统以及下 丘脑—垂体—肾上腺轴，也就是人体核心的压力反应网络，可能被持 续激活。久而久之，紊乱的压力信号可能影响睡眠、饮食、运动习惯、 胰岛素敏感性、血压、免疫调节，并推动慢性炎症的发生。 因此，社会隔离并不是一种单纯的情绪状态，它可能成为慢性疾病风 险网络中的一环。研究已经发现，孤独与社会孤立和心血管疾病、过 早死亡以及痴呆风险之间存在关联。当然，这些研究显示的是相关 性，并不能证明亲密关系本身可以单独预防疾病。但整体趋势已经越 来越难以忽视：社会健康，本就是身体健康的一部分。 好关系支持的不只是寿命，更是健康寿命 长寿有两个重要维度：一个是寿命，也就是我们活了多少年；另一个 是健康寿命，也就是我们在这些岁月中保持健康、独立与功能性的时 间。良好的人际关系，或许能够同时支持这两者。 一位值得信任的朋友，可能会在我们出现症状时提醒我们去看医生。 一位伴侣，可能会最早察觉我们记忆或情绪上的变化。朋友可以让散 步、运动、下厨与旅行变得更有乐趣。归属感则会给予人们维持日常 节奏、走出家门、保持好奇心，并在疾病之后重新恢复的理由。 “What appears to matter most is whether we have people in our lives whom we can trust, speak honestly with, and turn to during difficult moments.” — James Ho, MD, PhD “真正最重要的，或许是我们的生命中 是否有值得信任的人——可以坦诚交 谈，也能在艰难时刻依靠。” ——James Ho, MD, PhD 何健博士 109 BALLIET + WANG LUXURY LIVING
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