How Important are Friends to Your Health?

Picnics, road trips, and shopping hold some of the fondest memories hanging out with my friends throughout the years and research shows this is not only good for my physical health, but my mental health as well. That’s right; all those nights staying up to the wee hours of the morning soaking in your hot tub while talking to your best friend can have an overall positive effect on your physical and mental health. Of course we’re talking about healthy friendships mixed with a balance of respect, support, and appreciation intertwined with humor, honesty, and understanding helping us to coping with life’s challenges. Good friends can make all the difference when the road of life gets a little bumpy.

Uchino, Cacioppo, & Kiecolt-Claser (1996) studied the link between social support and physiological processes. Their studies found social support positively affected immune system, cardiovascular, and endocrine functioning as well as slowed down the biological aging process. The key again is healthy relationship adding a positive dimension to your life. Relationship bringing stress into your life can have the reverse effect.

Research also finds supportive relationships can thwart the negative effects of life’s challenges on mental health and one’s sense of well being (Basic Behavioral Science task Force of the National Advisory Mental Health Council, 1996). Having socially supportive relationships to talk about the loss of a loved one, workplace concerns, your child’s latest antics, and other concerns can alleviate stress, increase self-esteem, and provide needed support. So the next time life throws you a curve, schedule some time out to chat with a friend. It just may improve your overall health.

Basic Behavioral Science Task Force, National Advisory Mental Health Council. (1996). Basic behavioral science research for mental health: Family processes and social networks. American Psychologist, 51(6), 622-630.

Uchino, Cacioppo, & Kiecolt-Glaser (1996). The relationship between social support and physiological processes: A review with emphasis on underlying mechanisms and implications for health. Psychological Bulletin, 119(3), 488-531.

Comments

[Zena]

I find myself sometimes in a depressed state of mind on occasion. I truly agree with talking with friends can totally relax my self. Relaxing in a warm tub and venting is what I do and it works. You can't keep feelings bottled up it's a horrible thing to put your body through. So relax tell a friend to lend you their ear and talk away.

[Jim]

I can see why this is good. I tend to be more outgoing and happy when I'm with friends. I do also know that when I'm feeling down I tend to ignore them. SO I guess it's free will to be happy or sad. Most people would rather be happy but sometimes choose to alienate themselves. That is a big problem with my pops. He does a few things to keep himself going like going to the gym to swim and sit in the sauna. He likes the sauna because in the close quarters you almost have to talk to the people in there. That is the way the ice gets broken for him. Anyway he has friends and family that care and we just want to see him happy. So give a shout out if ya read this! What up pops!