Research shows that good pals can benefit your overall health; mind and body
Friends play a significant role in promoting your overall health. Adults with strong social support have a reduced risk of many significant health problems, including depression, high blood pressure and more. Research shows that good pals can benefit your mind and body. Best of all, it’s one of the easiest things we can do!
Whether you’re sharing laughs over a cup of coffee or leaning on each other for support in tough times, good friends always seem to be there when we need them most. Lucky for us, evidence shows that this loyalty can have powerful positive effects on our health. In fact, studies have linked close friendships to the following physical, mental, and emotional health benefits:
- Stronger immunity
- Lower stress
- Improved self-confidence
- Increased happiness
- Better overall health
1. Stronger immunity
Experts found a link between social support from friendship and the immune system. People with good friends tend to have stronger immune systems and anti-inflammatory responses that can lead to quicker wound healing and reduce the risk of illnesses, including cardiovascular disease, arthritis, and some cancers.
2. Lower stress
Researchers believe that friendship also plays a role in the way the body processes stress. When you spend time with your pals sharing what’s on your mind, your body may produce less of the stress hormone, cortisol, which can have a calming effect.
Check out these simple stress-relieving activities for adults that you can try today.
3. Improved self-confidence
Supportive friends can help us feel more confident by offering praise, reassurance, and a hand to hold when we’re feeling unsure. Being there for each other in this way can help to develop a lifetime of gratifying companionship.
4. Increased happiness
To find a little more joy in your life, turn to your happy friends. Studies have shown that socializing with happy people can rub off on you. Research also says that you can amp up your happiness quotient by actively building friendships instead of waiting for them to come to you.
5. Better overall health
Medical professionals believe that meaningful friendships promote overall healthy habits because they can encourage us to swap harmful habits for healthier ones. Whether it’s a better diet, more exercise, or permission to take a well-deserved break, our friends’ influence can help lower the risk of many health problems, including high blood pressure, obesity, and depression.