Freckled Elle: NIVEA - Feel Closer

Friday, 17 June 2011

NIVEA - Feel Closer

NIVEA is 100 years old - happy birthday! They are celebrating how close people are to their loved ones in today's society.

Psychologist Professor Geoff Beattie has found that we're closer than ever to our friends and families, which is good because they're vital for our health. Being close to others can help with:

-a healthier heart – close social contact helps lower blood pressure and overall risk of heart disease.

-lower risk of cancer – one study found women without a strong social and emotional support network were nine times more likely to be diagnosed with a malignant breast tumour during routine screening.

-better mental health – loneliness and social isolation are major risk factors for conditions ranging from depression and anxiety to Alzheimer’s disease.

^ I've learnt something new today.

There are probably several interlinking reasons for all this, say scientists (And Louise, as she studied correlations in Psychology hehe). Lonely people are more likely to rely on unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as smoking and excessive drinking. And, lacking the self-esteem boost we get from positive relationships, they may be less motivated to exercise and eat well. In addition, without someone to confide in during difficult times, the lonely may experience a build-up of stress that can have a direct physical impact, even accelerating the ageing process.

Personally, I don't have many friends and certainly no one I'm close to and this has made me less confident. Maybe I should put an ad in a newspaper? haha

To celebrate how close you are with your loved ones, you can take part in NIVEA’s A Million Moments of Closeness. Upload photos of you with your best friend, sibling, partner, parent or child at facebook.com/niveauk. Everyday, someone's photo is chosen and the winner will receive one of 100 prizes worth £100.