An interesting article in Prevention suggests that perceiving yourself as being high on the social ladder can increase your life expectancy.
Picture a ladder with 10 rungs, each representing a higher level of social prestige than the one just below it. At the top of the ladder are the leaders in your community--the good neighbors, parent coaches, Girl Scout leaders, and church elders. At the bottom are the residents who you feel have little status. Now, ask yourself which rung you occupy. You see yourself near the top? Congratulations! The reward for your high self-regard is the promise of a long and healthful life.
"People who perceive themselves as high on the social ladder--regardless of their actual educational degree or size of their paycheck--are less likely to suffer from a range of health problems, including depression, insomnia, and certain risk factors for heart disease."Read the rest of the social climbing article from Prevention.
3 comments:
Talia, this is an interesting article. Especially since I do picture myself at that prestigious top rung. In my world ;-)
Still, I wonder if this sort of personal prestige is worth a whole lot, apart from what it correlates with in terms of health. Surely this really results from already having emotional well being. I
f I tried to pick up self by bootstraps, as it were, smooshing myself upwards on that ladder, I might manage the grim visualization, but would it be the best use of my time? Or anyones?
Hi Rose - sounds like you can look forward to a long life.
I guess it makes the point that if you think well of yourself it lowers the your stress and has resulting flow on health effects including longevity. Having high self-esteem in general would have the same effect. Also you don't have to climb the ladder you only have to perceive yourself as highly placed on the ladder. So, if in your mind you're doing well (because you choose to compare yourself to people who aren't doing well) then you will get the same health benefits i.e. it's not so much your actual position on the social ladder as your perception of your place on the social ladder!
Comparing 'down', i.e. counting your blessings in relation to those less fortunate is a fairly well established happiness habit.
And neatly summed up by comedian Count Arthur Strong, albeit somewhat backhendedly:
'I'm never happier than when I'm in the company of people less fortunate than myself'
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Talia, Kim & Nancy.