“If you want love or friendship, instead of thinking so much about what you want, think about how you can offer what you want to someone else.” - Bill Harris
Issue #505 – Monday, December 8, 2025
This time of year always reminds me of how deeply we need one another.
Between family gatherings, friendly check-ins and the simple joy of being around people we care about…
The holidays have a way of bringing connection back into focus.
And as it turns out, that connection isn’t just good for the heart - it’s good for the body, too.
That’s why today I’m sharing a wonderful essay from Mind Power Managing Editor Ryan Standifird that explores the fascinating science behind how meaningful relationships can actually slow the aging process.
Ryan reveals how researchers are finding that the warmth of friendship, love and community can literally keep your brain, body and even your DNA younger for longer.
It’s a powerful reminder that the true “fountain of youth” isn’t something you can buy in a bottle or find in a lab…
…it’s being with the people who make your life worth living.
So as you move through this holiday season, I hope you’ll take an extra moment to reach out, reconnect, and savor the laughter and love that surround you.
Because being “younger together” is one of the greatest gifts of all.
With love and gratitude,
MaryEllen Tribby
Centerpointe CEO
P.S.
Did you know Holosync can also help with your heart, brain and nervous system health?
Scroll down to our Check it Out section to learn more.
Younger Together - The Science of How Relationships Slow Aging
By Ryan Standifird
It’s one of the biggest puzzles in human history:
Can we somehow defy the natural aging process so that we can live longer?
Whether it’s early explorers in the 16th century searching for the fountain of youth…
Ancient alchemists seeking to create an elixir of life...
Or wealthy business tycoons using cryogenics to freeze and preserve their bodies for a future solution…
Aging is one of the biggest “problems” that science is looking to solve.
And while we may never live forever, we’ve come a long way in understanding how the brain and body age - and what kinds of daily habits can speed up or slow that process down.
Your Epigenetic Clock
I’ve written before about how scientists use MRI brain scans to identify your Brain Age - the age your brain appears to be based on its size, neural connectivity, and blood flow.
But there’s another fascinating measure of aging known as your epigenetic clock.
This biological “timepiece” measures chemical markers on your DNA called methylation patterns, which can reveal how fast or slow your body is aging on a cellular level.
Unlike your chronological age (the number of birthdays you’ve had), your epigenetic age reflects how old your body actually feels and functions inside.
So, how much influence do we have over our epigenetic clock?
More than you might realize.
Because a recent study from Cornell University has revealed a powerful way to slow down your epigenetic clock. Not through diet, supplements, or exercise (though those help, too)…
…but through friendship.
How Strong Relationships Keep You Young
Researchers analyzed DNA samples from over 2,100 adults in the long-running MIDUS (Midlife in the United States) study and made a surprising discovery.
People who had richer, more consistent relationships across their lifetimes - from nurturing parents to supportive friendships and community ties in adulthood - had younger biological profiles and lower levels of inflammation.
Their epigenetic clocks literally ticked more slowly.
That means their cells, tissues, and even their immune systems were biologically younger than their peers simply because they’d cultivated deep and lasting social bonds.
The researchers in the study called this a “cumulative social advantage,” and explained that it’s not like you can just add a bunch of friends on social media and expect to live longer.
Instead, it’s all about the depth and consistency of your connections over decades.
In the words of Anthony Ong, psychology professor at Cornell University and the lead researcher of the study:
“It’s the cumulative effect — these social resources build on each other over time. It’s not just about having friends; it’s about how your connections have grown and deepened throughout your life.”
The Science of Connection
So how does being socially connected translate into slower aging at the molecular level?
According to the study, it all comes down to stress and inflammation.
When you feel lonely or isolated, your body’s stress response - a “sympathetic” nervous system state - stays active for longer than it should. Cortisol and other stress hormones rise, triggering inflammation throughout your body which is a key driver of aging and disease.
But when you feel loved, supported, and connected, your nervous system shifts into a calmer, more balanced “parasympathetic” state. Your body produces fewer inflammatory molecules, your immune system functions more efficiently, and your cells stay healthier.
Over the course of your lifetime, the more time spent in a sympathetic state, the more aged your DNA will be. The more time spent in a parasympathetic state, the younger your DNA will be.
Specifically, the Cornell study found that people with stronger lifelong social ties had lower levels of interleukin-6, a pro-inflammatory molecule linked to heart disease, diabetes, and neurodegeneration.
In other words, friendship isn’t just “good for the soul.” It’s literally good for your cells.
Investing in Your “Social Retirement Account”
Dr. Ong described social connection as a kind of retirement account.
The earlier and more consistently you invest in your relationships, the greater your biological “returns.”
That’s because emotional warmth and belonging compound over time.
Just as compound interest turns small deposits into massive growth, each positive interaction - every shared laugh, every act of kindness, every moment of being there for someone - builds resilience into your biology.
And if you’ve fallen out of touch or feel like you don’t have that kind of support right now, don’t worry! It’s never too late to start making deposits again.
How to Strengthen Your “Longevity Network”
Here are three simple but powerful ways to nurture your social connections starting today:
Reconnect with an old friend. Send a quick message or make a call to someone you haven’t spoken to in a while. You’ll be surprised how often they’ve been thinking of you too.
Show up in your community. Whether it’s volunteering, joining a class, or attending local events, being part of a group with shared purpose builds belonging and resilience.
Deepen your existing relationships. Take time to ask meaningful questions. Listen more. Express appreciation. Small acts of emotional generosity strengthen the bonds that literally keep you young.
The Real Fountain of Youth
It’s a little funny to think that after centuries of searching for immortality in mystical elixirs and hidden springs, the real “fountain of youth” might be something we’ve had within us all along:
Our capacity to connect.
The warmth of a friend’s voice.
The laughter shared over dinner.
The comfort of knowing that someone truly sees you.
Those moments don’t just feel good. They help your body repair, your mind thrive, and your cells stay young.
So if you’re serious about slowing the clock - the one inside your DNA - take care of your relationships.
Stay connected. Stay curious. Stay kind.
Because as science now shows…
Love and friendship don’t just make life worth living. They make it last longer.
Your Bonus Tip
The reality is, creating these kinds of bonds doesn't happen overnight.
But you can start nurturing your epigenetic clock right away thanks to the Holosync-powered Mind-Body Total Rejuvenator suite.
It’s a quick and easy way to activate your parasympathetic nervous system, which relieves stress, promotes recovery and reduces strain on your epigenetic clock.
Check It Out!
Mind-Body Total Rejuvenator
Doctors and scientists agree:
Meditation has a profound effect on your body’s major organs.
That’s why we created a Holosync collection designed to boost the health and resilience of the three most crucial body systems:
Your heart, your brain, and your nervous system.
With Mind-Body Total Rejuvenator you’ll gain a game-changing daily routine proven to enhance and protect these critical systems to prolong and improve your life like nothing else.
Whether you want to improve your heart health, boost cognition, defend against illness, or just enjoy a healthier lifestyle, these tools make a major difference.
Maximize your health today with Mind-Body Total Rejuvenator!
Wise Words
“Love and friendship don’t just make life worth living. They make it last longer.” - Ryan Standifird
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