Having strong friendships can save your life. Studies found out that having friends will reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke. Older people with a lot of friends are less likely to die. On the other hand, a social network of relatives, children and partner did not have these effects.
Having friends reduces stress and helps achieve goals or tough tasks. People with friends are more satisfied with their lives. One study even found out that people with lots of friends were less likely to get sick, when confronted with a cold virus.
People that are lonely or have poor friendships face an increased risk of heart attack, stroke and premature death.
While having strong friendships is best, having so called weak ties can already give you a boost. Those with casual connections, with a cashier at the store, a co-worker or other acquaintances, are happier, than those without weak ties. Talking to strangers may also uplift your spirit and the more you do it, the easier and more enjoyable it becomes.
Studies
- Lack of social support and incidence of coronary heart disease in middle-aged Swedish men
- Effect of social networks on 10 year survival in very old Australians: the Australian longitudinal study of aging
- Social support reduces cardiovascular reactivity to psychological challenge: a laboratory model
- Social Support and the Perception of Geographical Slant
- An Exposure-Wide and Mendelian Randomization Approach to Identifying Modifiable Factors for the Prevention of Depression
- Social Relationships and Mortality Risk: A Meta-analytic Review
- Adult friendship and wellbeing: A systematic review with practical implications
- Social Interactions and Well-Being: The Surprising Power of Weak Ties
- Talking with strangers is surprisingly informative
