Many people have friends so that they can have people to spend time with, talk with and have fun with as well as people who can help them get through the good times and the bad. It turns out that having friends is more than just companionship. Friends can also positively affect our health.
Medical News Today shared some of the health benefits of having friends. Hopefully, learning more about these benefits can help you appreciate your friends even more.
1. Friends help prevent depression.
This might be the least surprising among all of the health benefits of having friends. It is common knowledge that being surrounded by good friends keeps our spirits up and helps us get through the bad times.
2. Friends help reduce stress.
A good friend is willing to share your burden, problems and stress. Many people enjoy spending time with their friends after a stressful event such as a relationship break-up or after a hard day's work because their stress levels go down when they are around their friends.
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3. Friends can improve your heart health.
"Frequent social interaction has been linked to better heart health," Medical News Today shares. "High blood pressure is a key risk factor for heart disease and other cardiovascular conditions, including heart attack and stroke. But research has suggested that regular contact with friends could actually lower blood pressure."
4. Friends can help reduce the the risk for dementia.
Brain decline happens as people grow older. The risk for dementia also increases as time goes by. However, studies have shown that being socially active can significantly reduce the risk of losing your memory. Treasuring your family and friends even more as you age is a great idea to prevent different forms of dementia such as Alzheimer's disease.
5. Friends can boost your lifespan.
One of the most amazing health benefits of having friends is that it can boost your longevity. "Researchers followed nearly 1,500 people over the age of 70 for 10 years and found that people with the strongest network of good friends lived longer than those with the fewest close friends," WebMD shared. So better keep your friends close and be a good friend to them as well.
