Previous research has shown that living in an affluent neighborhood is associated with optimal mental and physical health. Now, researchers believe that trusting your neighbors may also be good for the body and mind.
In a study, a team of scientists from the University of Missouri examined the correlation between trust in one's neighbors and health status. They found that physically healthy individuals also happened to be comfortable with those living around them.
"It is possible that shared community resources that promote interaction, such as sidewalks and parks, could help bridge the neighborhood trust gap, and also promote health and well-being. Residents of all economic statuses might then benefit if community cohesion was increased," said researcher Eileen Bjornstrom.
Interestingly, and perhaps contrary to commonly held beliefs, individuals who lived in high-income neighborhoods tended to be more distrustful of their neighbors. This finding suggests that you don't need to be rich to find peaceful places to live.
Author and philosopher Ilchi Lee believes that world peace should be the ultimate goal of humanity, and that universal unity can only be achieved through trust and love for your fellow man. Positivity is contagious, Lee says, and if it is strong enough, it can flow through the empty spaces between us and touch every person on the planet.
Some of the most peaceful places in the world are regions where individuals do not define themselves by class, religion or nation. Rather, these people choose to think of themselves as citizens of Earth, a group of people united because of their commonalities, not divided because of their differences. When all individuals realize this, we may one day achieve peace on earth.
