Get More Friends for Better Health
Published On: 11-10-2011 06:21pm
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Category: Health
One finding is that according to surveys, women who are socially involved and visit with family and friends regularly are happier as they age. Actually, having a circle of friends makes people happy, especially when they see themselves playing important roles in these relationships. Conversely, if they see themselves as outsiders, they are sadder.
Happiness is contagious in your circle of friends. As this joyful feeling spreads among your friends, you become an overall happier person. The Framingham Heart Study "between 1983 and 2003 showed that people tend to cluster into happy or unhappy groups, and happiness appears to spread not just to those immediately inside the social group, but to their contacts as well."
However, if you surround yourself with persons who are chronically depressed or negative, you will absorb their attitudes and become generally unhappier. This underscores the importance of having friends with diverse personalities to lessen this impact.
Another benefit to having good friends is that those who suffer grief due to the loss of a loved one and receive support from these friends or family are better able to cope with their loss. This is especially true when the friendly support is in the form of their physical presence, being good listeners, extending words of encouragement and offering practical help such as cooking meals, cleaning or running errands.
One of the best benefits to being social, according health experts, is that it boosts good health. Positive emotions enhance your body's immune system and reduces the physical signs of stress. Also, being a good friend yourself can impart all of these benefits to your friends as well.
In view of all the foregoing, I can only say "Hooray to friendship and good friends! Good health to you."
