Learn More
Health Wise with Crystal Han
Time spent with our friends may actually prolong our lives !
We all need someone to lean on , as the song goes , though it may surprise you how important having someone to lean on is for your health . The time we spend with our friends is not only fun , it actually helps prolong our lives !
The most recognizable way that friends positively impact our lives is that they are there for us . Good friends help us cope with the hardships we encounter throughout our lives , beginning when we are children . Studies show that kids who have closer friendships with others are more able to cope with bullying than those with weaker friendships . As we become adults , strong social ties help us handle rejection and traumatic events such as the death of a loved one , serious illness , the loss of a job , or divorce . Our friends may not be able to fix the problems that we ’ re going through , but their support provides us with some muchneeded consolation . As a result , we are more likely to feel a greater sense of belonging , as well as a greater sense of self . The better we feel about ourselves and our place within society , the more stable we are overall .
Physically , the impact friendship has on our lifespans is twice as strong as exercising and equal to quitting smoking . Countless studies show that positive social relationships are linked to decreased mortality in general . This is primarily due to the way friendships influence how our bodies process stress . Prolonged levels of stress can adversely affect coronary arteries , gut function , insulin regulation , and the immune system . When friends offer help , advice , and affection , it triggers the release of stress-reducing hormones that are beneficial to both the giver and the receiver . People who spend more time with friends have a reduced risk of depression , high blood pressure , cardiovascular problems , inflammation , and are even less likely to get sick . Our lifestyles are also influenced by the friends we keep closest to us . If you have a friend who is into exercising and eating healthy , you are five times more likely to mirror that behavior . Friends also look out for us and encourage us to take better care of ourselves , whether that means encouraging us to quit smoking or to step out of our comfort zones and try something new .
We are highly social animals . We thrive on communication with others . So it goes without saying that talking , sharing experiences , and listening to the experiences of others stimulates our brains and helps keep our minds sharp . People , especially older adults , who feel a lack of social bonding are more likely to experience cognitive decline and an increased risk of dementia . This has less to do with actually being alone , and more to do with feelings of loneliness . Those who prefer solitude show no adverse effects , while those who long for social attachments but are unable to form any are prone to a loss of cognitive ability . Feeling lonely can also cause higher levels of tension , anxiousness , and sleep difficulties , all of which tend to cloud a person ’ s thinking .
Interestingly , research shows that family ties , while important , seem to have little to no effect on our longevity . There is no definitive answer as to why , but it might be because we are able to choose the type of personality and values we seek in a friend — we don ’ t choose our families . When it comes to choosing friends , quality is always better than quantity . We want to find the people who appreciate our differences and aren ’ t afraid to give us their honest opinion when necessary . In some ways , our friends get to know our truest selves , and they will love us not only when we ’ re at our best , but also when we ’ re at our worst . Those are the types of people who are more likely to stick around when things get tough . Knowing you have friends like that in your life does wonders for your mind and your body .
In today ’ s hectic society , it may seem impossible to maintain friendships . Our friends might be moving because of school , jobs , or to be closer to family , which makes it difficult to spend time with them . But distance doesn ’ t necessarily equate to a weakening of the emotional bond you share with your friends . Through the use of phones , email , Skype and many other apps , you can still feel strongly connected to friends even if you live on opposite sides of the world . Maintaining friendships takes work , but when it comes to the people you consider to be very important in your life , they ’ re well worth the effort .
Learn More
“ Friendships : Enrich Your Life and Improve Your Health ,” Mayo Clinic
“ 7 Ways Friendships are Great for Your Health ,” Stephanie Pappas , Live Science .
“ Good Friends are Good For You ,” Tom Valeo , WebMD
CRYSTAL HAN is a freelance writer and artist . She graduated from San José State University with a BFA in Animation / Illustration and is an aspiring novelist , currently working on two books .
GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN MAY / JUNE 2017 gmhtoday . com
89