How to Boost your Longevity and Quality of Life with Summer Camp

IT’S A FACT!! Participating in Charlie’s Summer Camp this year will boost your longevity and quality of life.

But how?

Social connection is a major contributor to longevity, even without exercise, and Summer Camp is all about the comradery, connection and fun.

The Okinawan people of Japan have some of the oldest living people in the world and one of the main reasons for their longevity is their social connection.

Our need for social connection and belonging is part of human nature and the feelings that we get from spending time with others is like a neural currency or reward. These rewards release the happy hormones and keep us motivated! For example, someone making you laugh or smiling at you, or someone giving you encouragement or approval. Moments like these wire our brains for longevity and health. Even just remembering previous positive social interactions do this, which is what keeps people coming back to Summer Camp year after year. They remember how much fun it was, and how they enjoyed the connection with other people in the group.

It is also clear that social connection actually reduces our stress levels, which we know is important for a longer life. In fact researchers have estimated that having strong, secure relationships and connection with others can increase our happiness and longevity by around 50%!!! In addition to the obvious benefits of exercising at Summer Camp, research has shown that people with stronger connections have reduced risk of developing Alzheimers, dementia and cardiovascular disease.

The converse is also true, in that lack of social connection negatively affects our health. These studies also showed that loneliness increases the chance of a heart attack, angina or stroke by 30%.

Here’s another fun fact, backed by science… when you participate and enjoy an activity that offers connection and social support (like Summer Camp), inflammation in your body can be reduced by 40% and your immune system strengthened, protecting you from illnesses.

So when we’re talking “bang for buck” for exercise, doing it outdoors with other people can boost the benefits tenfold.

Summer Camp has been going for a number of years now and I know that one of the big attractions of it (apart from the awesome workout) is the joy people get from being part of a group, laughing, moving, chatting, sharing, encouraging each other….and the coffee afterwards. I know this because they tell me and one year I even extended by 4 weeks because they wanted more.

AS HUMANS WE ARE WIRED TO CONNECT WITH OTHERS, WE JUST HAVE TO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO IT!!

Details and Dates can be found here.

Can’t make the whole program? You can participate in just Block 1 (9th Nov – 14th Dec 2024) or Block 2 (18th Jan -22nd Feb 2025) here.

Summer Camp is for everyone regardless of age or ability. You’ll be looked after, you’ll laugh A LOT, get a great workout, feel the benefits of being outside with other people, and most importantly – increase your longevity and quality of life! All are welcome and kids under 16 can train with you for free.

x Charlie

Charlie is a body positivity counsellor, stylist, self esteem coach, and personal trainer who weaves therapy with movement for maximum mental health outcomes. You can book in for a complimentary session or see what Charlie offers in her store here.

REFERENCES:

Holt-Lunstad J. Why Social Relationships Are Important for Physical Health: A Systems Approach to Understanding and Modifying Risk and Protection. Annu Rev Psychol. 2018 Jan 4;69:437-458. doi: 10.1146/annurev-psych-122216-011902. Epub 2017 Oct 16. PMID: 29035688.

Robson, David (2024) Want to Live Longer, Start Prioritising Your Friends bbc.com, retrieved 9th September 2024 from https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20240722-why-your-friends-make-you-live-longer

Perry, Rose PHD (2024) Social Connectedness 101: Social Connection and Physical Health thesocialcreatures.org, retrieved 9th September 2024 from https://www.thesocialcreatures.org/thecreaturetimes/social-connection-physical-health