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Social Media May Increase Life Span

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Aug 21, 2009 5:38 pm US/Mountain

Social Media May Increase Life Span

Reporting
Dr. Dave Hnida
DENVER (CBS4) ― Social media may offer more benefits than just staying in touch with family and friends, it may also increase life span.

A study from the Karolinska Institute in Sweden found social media and email as well as using sites like Google can help seniors' mental acuity.

Researchers have found social isolation is one of the main reasons a person's health deteriorates as he or she ages. It is also a major risk factor for dementia.

By using social media, seniors are not only using their minds and learning new schools, they are also connecting to old friends and making new ones.

There are other factors when it comes to living a long, healthy life. They include controlling blood pressure and cholesterol so arteries stay open, exercising regularly so the body keeps moving, taking a daily nap which lowers hormones which are harmful to brain cells and meditating or taking 15 minutes of quiet time every day.

"It's interesting to note," said Dr. Hnida, "the fastest growing age group on Facebook is the 'over-55' crowd. It's grown more than 500 percent over the past six months. It's expected seniors will pass high schoolers in the number of Facebook users.

"If you want to do something health for your parents or grandparents, buy them a computer instead of a scarf."

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