HAPPY HOUR How to Live Long and Flourish

by Steve Black

Ican feel a tingling sensation of joy as the texts go out after lunch. The destination and time usually start, followed by sporadic responses—yeah or nay—and when they will be coming or leaving. Our specific night is Friday, and we are greeted by name with a “Happy Friday” by the smiling bartender, Jared, as we peruse the new options and specials before being presented with our finely-crafted ale, Kölsch, or Saison and wander outside to the beer garden to meet and greet our friends and neighbors. Welcome to Happy Hour!

There are myriad studies on the harmful effects of social isolation, and the past 18 months have robbed us of our connections. Our devices seem to add to that feeling of isolation and fear as we scroll through the unrealistic joy of others.

The good news is that many studies point to positive social relations as a major contributor to staying healthy and happy for as long as possible. Studies also show that our communal relationships get better with age and emotional maturity. In fact, those who study the blue zones, categorized by people having very long fulfilled lives, have identified factors including community and even specifically identifying “having a wine in the evening with food and friends” as a common trait.

Fact: They are called blue zones, not because of geography or music preferences, but because the people who discovered them drew blue circles on the map to identify them. Who knew?

We don’t all live in “blue zones,” but geography doesn’t necessarily seem to be the key. Positive results can be achieved anywhere. We all need a pause to actually connect with humans and, for just a moment, forget all those nasty bits of life and talk, laugh, and smile. And while a glass of wine, or in our case a beer, at the end of the day may help us relax together, in our weekly assembly, several folks don’t drink. They are there, as we all are, to shed the cares of the day and to be around and connect with friends.

We sit together outside, enjoying the dappled rays of the setting sun and talk. Our conversations are sometimes serious but often full of mirth and silliness, relishing in and laughing at the absurdities of our lives and our observation of the world around us. As darkness falls, various people say their goodbyes as the group wanes, and we take those moments of bliss and carry them forth in our lives.

While it may be hard to believe that something so simple and pleasurable can also be beneficial, Happy Hour may be more important than ever before. Your blue zone is where you find it. So gather your people, find your place, and raise your glass to a long future filled with friends, health, and happiness. Cheers!