We focus so much on our well-being that sometimes we become a little selfish. We work on self-improvement, healing ourselves, and increasing our wealth that we sometimes forget about our friends.
Studies have shown that the key to a healthy and long life may be in our friends and social interactions. One 10-year study done in Australia really drove home the point.
"A 10-year Australian study found that older people with a large circle of friends were 22 percent less likely to die during the study period than those with fewer friends."
Looks like I better start calling up some old acquaintances. But it's not just our physical health. Having friends is like having a huge support group ready to hold our hand and walk us through any challenge that comes our way.
Another study done had set up students at the base of a hill. Some were alone, while others were with friends.
"The students who stood with friends gave lower estimates of the steepness of the hill. And the longer the friends had known each other, the less steep the hill appeared."
This article from the New York Times gives an in depth look at the studies that have been done that cover this subject matter. Some of the studies have some pretty startling results. I definitely recommend giving this a read. You might just live a little longer and better having done so.
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