Having good friends makes you live longer and better

The study also shows that the influence of friends is great even among adults

When you were a teenager, you may have heard your parents tell you not to do something wrong just because your friends all did the same. But one study suggests that the influence of friendships – for better or worse – extends throughout adulthood.

The work, published Wednesday in the magazine Epidemiology and psychiatric sciencesfound that friendships among older adults were associated with several indicators of physical health and healthy behaviors, as well as better mental health.

The study authors analyzed surveys of nearly 13,000 people over age 50 who participated in the US Health and Retirement Study. They looked at 35 health and psychological problems and how they related to the quality of respondents’ friendships.

According to study co-author William Chopik, an associate professor of psychology at Michigan State University, many studies have already linked good friendships to specific health benefits, but the current one is more comprehensive. Study participants completed the survey three times over eight years.

Good friendships are good for your health

Chopik and his colleagues found that people who have high-quality friendships tend to live better and longer lives. See some results found:

– individuals who had good friends were 24% less likely to die during the analyzed period.

– they also showed a 9% increase in the likelihood of exercising;

– a 17% lower risk of suffering from depression;

– and a 19% lower chance of having a stroke.

The authors defined “high-quality friendships” by analyzing three categories: number of friends, number of interactions with friends, and feeling supported and happy in the company of friends.

Risks related to loneliness

The dangers of loneliness have become more apparent in recent years, as one in four older adults worldwide experience social isolation, leading to increased risks of stroke, anxiety, dementia, depression, suicide and others, according to the World Health Organization. problems.

But what about the unhealthy habits of our friends? Do they also affect us? According to the study, the answer is “yes”: the people analyzed who had the best friendships were also slightly more likely to smoke and drink.

Chopik hopes that future research will delve into these details and help show how to make new friends at different stages of life. But the message is: take care of your friendships, so that they last forever.

Source: Terra

Ben

Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.