Reschedule that girl’s night out, for a mom’s night out, and you may be gifting her with a little extra time. A study found that when we hang out with people we love, it makes them thrive, even in the latter part of their lives. And guess who your mom loves the most… exactly, you!

We at Bright Side know how important family is, and we’re sharing this research with you so that you can have more mom-time in your life.

, AXELLE / BAUER-GRIFFIN / East News

Doctors at the University of California conducted a study that followed 1,600 participants in their 60s and 70s to find out if loneliness had a more decisive influence on life expectancy than other aspects of health.

After 6 years of follow up and research, scientists discovered that loneliness had a larger impact on the elderly than they had expected. Those who declared they had company and meaningful relationships lived longer than those who expressed feeling lonely. Loneliness was driving them to death faster.

Matt Sayles / Invision / AP / East News

According to the study, death can also be caused by negative psychological feelings that lead to a decline in health. One of them is loneliness, not much in the sense that they don’t have anyone to talk to, but in the sense that they don’t have a meaningful connection to nurture with those that they love and care about deeply.

Put mom in your schedule, even if it’s too busy. Invite her to Sunday breakfast with the kids, ask for her advice, let her come with you to do your grocery shopping. And if you don’t live close to mom, try to visit her more often and make a schedule to give her a call and chat about your daily struggles and joys.

, AXELLE / BAUER-GRIFFIN / East News2