Did you know that being a grandparent is good for your health?
When researchers looked at brain scans of grandmothers’ brains, the areas of the brain linked to emotional empathy lit up when they saw photos of their grandchildren.
Studies show that grandparents who stay connected with their grandkids experience
- Less Stress: Time with grandkids (in-person or virtual) releases feel-good chemicals like oxytocin.
- Sharper Minds: Keeping up with their endless questions keeps your brain agile. One study from the National Institute of Health showed a connection between one day of babysitting grandchildren per week and a decreased risk of Alzheimer’s.
- A Sense of Purpose: Knowing you’re a key part of their lives, even from afar, nurtures emotional well-being. The National Poll on Healthy Aging reported that those with at least one grandchild were more likely to report that they hardly ever feel isolated, especially if they also reported that they saw their grandchildren often.
- Physical Health: Spending time with young children naturally leads to more physical activity and steps per day.
The benefits of strong grandparent-grandchild relations go both ways. In fact, research has shown that kids have close bonds with their grandparents have lower rates of depression.
A child’s relationship with their grandparent provides them with a close adult to bond with outside of their parents. This can be especially powerful during the tricky adolescent years when having an additional involved and loving adult to provide guidance and a listening ear is a priceless gift.
Grandparents have the opportunity to develop unique and fulfilling relationships with their grandchildren. Whether it’s sharing stories from your past, passing on family traditions or teaching them skills and sharing life lessons with them, fostering a strong bond has many benefits for the kids in your life.
What about Long-Distance Grandparents?
With today’s technology, physical distance doesn’t have to limit grandparents and grandchildren from experience the health and well-being benefits of a strong connection. Video chats, phone calls, texts and snail mail, all go a long way to keeping relationships strong in between visits.
Staying engaged is easier than you think—even from miles away. Here are three simple ways to stay connected and make those health benefits work for you:
- Storytime on Screen: Video calls are perfect for reading bedtime stories or making up your own tales together.
- Send Little Surprises: A postcard, a riddle or a tiny craft in the mail can spark big smiles.
- Play Together Virtually: Classic games like “I Spy” or drawing competitions work great over video calls. Bonus: They’ll keep you laughing, too!
- Connect with a Shared Interest: Grandchildren grow and change quickly. Take note of what they are interested in and make an effort to learn about it so that conversation around it flows naturally.
Mailing a surprise package or helping with homework online aren’t just fun—they’re good for you. So, go ahead—plan that silly FaceTime game or write that postcard they’ll treasure forever. Even if you’re miles away, every moment of connection strengthens your bond and your health.
Grandparent-grandchild relationships take time and effort, but the benefits of forging a strong connection is worth it.
Do you have a go-to tip for staying connected with your grandkids? Share it with us in the comments!